Scale insects with attendant ant
Scale insects are typically small, averaging about 2–3 mm in length. They feed by sucking sap from plant tissue, thus weakening the host plant by removing its food supply and other valuable nutrients. Scale insects (like mealybugs, to which they are related) produce large quantities of honeydew. This honeydew atrracts ants becuase they like its sweet taste. The ants then protect scales from predators.
Size: 5146px × 3418px
Location: Port Augusta, South Australia
Photo credit: © Denis Crawford / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
Keywords: ant, attendant, coccidae, insect, montanum, myoporaceae, myoporum, myrtle, native, pulverine, pulvinaria, scale, scales
