Story: Insect pests of crops, pasture and forestry

Greedy scales

Greedy scales

The greedy scale is an unusual insect – a newly hatched larva has six legs for crawling to new sites, and once it has found a favourable spot on a leaf or fruit, the legs are shed and a protective, hard shell forms. The insect then settles to feed on the host plant. These large female scales are surrounded by young that have settled nearby.

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Landcare Research – Manaaki Whenua

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How to cite this page:

Alison Popay, 'Insect pests of crops, pasture and forestry - Apple and kiwifruit pests', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/photograph/17983/greedy-scales (accessed 20 April 2024)

Story by Alison Popay, published 24 Nov 2008