Chinese wax scale - Ceroplastes sinensis

By N A Martin (2018)

Caption:

Classification

Phylum

Arthropoda

Class

Insecta

Order

Hemiptera

Superfamily

Coccoidea

Family

Coccidae

Scientific name

Ceroplastes sinensis Del, Guercio, 1900

Common names

Chinese wax scale, Hard wax scale

Biostatus and distribution

This adventive scale insect was first reported in New Zealand 1932. It is now found in the northern half of the North Island and Great Island (Three Kings Islands). It has been found on native and plants from other countries and is a major pest of Citrus crops and Feijoa.

Conservation status: Commonly found in gardens, parks and native habitats in the North of the North Island. It is a pest of Citrus and Feijoa trees.

Life stages and annual cycle

Adult females are coated with thick, off-white wax that is coloured pinkish brown in patches, and with white `dry' wax in lateral and dorsal depressions. The adult female scales are oval when seen from the top and hemispherical when seen from the side. On the underside of the scale are a pair of tiny antennae and three pairs of tiny legs. It also has a short rostrum that holds the tips of the stylets that are inserted into the plant for feeding. Four lines of white wax can also been seen on the underside. These mark the channel by which gasses pass between the outside and the stigmata (openings) of the trachea (breathing tubes). At the rear end there is hole through which excess liquid is excreted. Old females lose the pinkish-brown colours and may become grey-white with sooty mould fungus. Females are often clumped together on stems and the shape of individual specimens may become distorted.

When fully grown, the female lays eggs into a brood chamber under her body which gradually shrinks as it is converted into eggs. After hatching from the egg, the nymph which has antennae and three pairs of legs, leaves the brood chamber through the anal orifice. The first instar (stage) nymph, which is called a crawler walks to the upper surface of a leaf and settles by a vein. It inserts its stylets into the plant to feed. The body of the oval shaped scale is red and grows patches of white wax on top and laterally. When the first instar nymph is fully grown it moults into the next nymphal stage. The second instar nymph is similar to the first instar, but larger. It is also usually found on plant leaves. The third, and last nymphal stage usually crawls to a stem before settling and feeding. The third instar is pink and has a short line of white wax on top and seven rods of white wax protruding round the edge. There is also a small amount of white wax in the anal region.

In New Zealand, only females are known and there is only one generation per year. The adult females lay eggs in the summer. They hatch from January onwards. The species over-winters mainly as third instar nymphs and young adults. The old wax cases of adults can be seen all year.

Feeding

Nymphs and adult females of Chinese wax scale have sucking mouthparts. Specially shaped long rods called stylets are used for feeding. Until used for feeding, the tips of the stylets held in the short sheath-like rostrum. When it wishes to feed, the scale insect moves the tip of the rostrum onto the surface of the plant. The stylets are then gradually pushed into the plant. The stylets form two tubes, one down which saliva is pumped into plant cells and the second tube through which it sucks the contents of the plant cells. The insect inserts its stylets into the phloem, the plant vessels for transmitting sap from the leaves to other parts of the plant. The sap has a high volume of water and sugars, more than the insect needs. It excretes the excess water and sugar, which is called honeydew.

Walking and dispersal

The nymphs and adult females have legs large enough for walking. All these stages can walk around the leaves and stems of the plant on which they are born. The main stage that spreads to new host plants is probably the first instar (stage) nymph. In other insects this stage can be disperse long distances by air. It is not known if crawlers of this species go to high points of the plant and stand up to catch the wind.

Adult female Chinese wax scale, Ceroplastes sinensis (Hemiptera: Coccidae) on stem of Syzygium sp., (Myrtaceae). Creator: Nicholas A. Martin. © Plant & Food Research. [Image: 2T9M]

Adult female Chinese wax scale, Ceroplastes sinensis (Hemiptera: Coccidae) on stem of Red mapou, Myrsine australis (Primulaceae). Creator: Nicholas A. Martin. © Plant & Food Research. [Image: 2T9R]

Underside of an adult female Chinese wax scale, Ceroplastes sinensis (Hemiptera: Coccidae): note the white wax marking the grooves along which gasses pass into and out of the insect. Creator: Tim Holmes. © Plant & Food Research. [Image: 2T99]

Underside of an adult female Chinese wax scale, Ceroplastes sinensis (Hemiptera: Coccidae): note the white wax marking the grooves along which gasses pass into and out of the insect. The thin wax layer below the insect has been broken exposing the underside of the body. Creator: Nicholas A. Martin. © Plant & Food Research. [Image: 2T9N]

Egg shells exposed in the brood chamber by turning over an adult female Chinese wax scale, Ceroplastes sinensis (Hemiptera: Coccidae): note the first instar nymph. Creator: Nicholas A. Martin. © Plant & Food Research. [Image: 2TA6]

First and second instar (stage) nymphs of Chinese wax scale, Ceroplastes sinensis (Hemiptera: Coccidae) on a leaf of Brazilian pepper tree, Schinus terebinthifolius (Anacardiaceae). Creator: Nicholas A. Martin. © Plant & Food Research. [Image: 2T9D]

Adult females and young nymphs of Chinese wax scale, Ceroplastes sinensis (Hemiptera: Coccidae) on a leaf of Brazilian pepper tree, Schinus terebinthifolius (Anacardiaceae). Creator: Nicholas A. Martin. © Plant & Food Research. [Image: 2T9E]

Young nymphs of Chinese wax scale, Ceroplastes sinensis (Hemiptera: Coccidae) along the midrib of three leaves of Syzygium sp., (Myrtaceae). Creator: Nicholas A. Martin. © Plant & Food Research. [Image: 2T9Y]

Third instar nymph (left) of Chinese wax scale, Ceroplastes sinensis (Hemiptera: Coccidae) on a stem of Shrubby haloragis, Haloragis erecta (Haloragaceae): note the pair of fine white wax filaments on either side of the excretory exit for excess liquids. Creator: Nicholas A. Martin. © Plant & Food Research. [Image: 2TA8]

Second (right) and third instar nymphs of Chinese wax scale, Ceroplastes sinensis (Hemiptera: Coccidae) on a leaf of Syzygium sp. (Myrtaceae). Creator: Nicholas A. Martin. © Plant & Food Research. [Image: 2T9W]

Underside of a third instar nymph (left and probably a young adult female (right) Chinese wax scale, Ceroplastes sinensis (Hemiptera: Coccidae): note the legs used for walking to new feeding sites. Creator: Tim Holmes. © Plant & Food Research. [Image: 2T9A]

Adult females and third instar nymphs of Chinese wax scale, Ceroplastes sinensis (Hemiptera: Coccidae) on a plant stem. Creator: Tim Holmes. © Plant & Food Research. [Image: 2T98]

Recognition

Scale insects in the family Coccidae require specialist skills for their identification, but the adult females of the three species of Ceroplastes in New Zealand can be recognised by their thick covering of wax. They are mainly found on plant stems. The young nymphs of these scale insects are also distinctive. They are usually found on the upper side of leaves and have small white wax plates in a star-like rosette.

The Chinese wax scale is the most distinctive of the three species. The mature females are coated with thick layer of off-white wax that is coloured pinkish brown in patches, and has white `dry' wax in lateral and dorsal depressions. The young nymphs of these scale insects on the upper side of leaves have small white wax plates in a star-like rosette.

The Soft wax scale, (Ceroplastes destructor Newstead, 1917), is covered by a thick, white, soft wax that is `wet' to touch. It is a strongly convex and irregular in shape. The young nymphs of these scale insects on the upper side of leaves have small white wax plates in a star-like rosette with short ‘arms’. It is found in the same parts of New Zealand.

The Indian wax scale, (Ceroplastes ceriferus (Fabricius, 1798)) has only been found in Gisborne on Citrus trees. The Indian wax scale is coated with thick pinkish white ‘wet’ wax. It normally has an anteriorly projecting ‘horn’. It has white `dry' wax in lateral depressions. Plates are visible on older adult females.

Adult female Chinese wax scale, Ceroplastes sinensis (Hemiptera: Coccidae) on stem of Syzygium sp., (Myrtaceae). Creator: Nicholas A. Martin. © Plant & Food Research. [Image: 2T9M]

Adult females of Chinese wax scale, Ceroplastes sinensis (Hemiptera: Coccidae) on the petiole of a leaf of Brazilian pepper tree, Schinus terebinthifolius (Anacardiaceae). Creator: Nicholas A. Martin. © Plant & Food Research. [Image: 2T9F]

Adult females and third instar (stage) nymphs of Chinese wax scale, Ceroplastes sinensis (Hemiptera: Coccidae) on a stem of Mangrove, Avicennia marina (Acanthaceae). Creator: Nicholas A. Martin. © Plant & Food Research. [Image: 2T8W]

Adult female Soft wax scale, Ceroplastes destructor (Hemiptera: Coccidae) on stem of Syzygium sp. (Myrtaceae). Creator: Nicholas A. Martin. © Plant & Food Research. [Image: 2T8I]

Adult female Soft wax scales, Ceroplastes destructor (Hemiptera: Coccidae) on stem of Syzygium sp. (Myrtaceae). Creator: Nicholas A. Martin. © Plant & Food Research. [Image: 2T84]

Small nymphs of Soft wax scales, Ceroplastes destructor (Hemiptera: Coccidae) on a leaf of Syzygium sp. (Myrtaceae). Creator: Nicholas A. Martin. © Plant & Food Research. [Image: 2T80]

Small nymphs of Soft wax scales, Ceroplastes destructor (Hemiptera: Coccidae) on a leaf of Syzygium sp. (Myrtaceae). Creator: Nicholas A. Martin. © Plant & Food Research. [Image: 2T7Z]

Third instar (stage) nymphs of Soft wax scale, Ceroplastes destructor (Hemiptera: Coccidae) on stems of Tahiti lime, Citrus aurantiifolia (Rutaceae): note the forward pointing ‘horn’ of white wax. Creator: Nicholas A. Martin. © Plant & Food Research. [Image: 2T88]

Natural enemies

Pathogens

One pathogen of Chinese wax scale has been recorded in New Zealand. This pathogenic fungus, Cordyceps confragosa used to be called Verticillium lecanii (Zimm.) Viégas.

Parasitoids

In New Zealand five species of wasp parasitoids have been reared from Chinese scale.

Predators

The two predators of Chinese wax scale in New Zealand are ladybirds both of which come from other countries.

Fungal hyphae coming from a nymph of Chinese wax scale, Ceroplastes sinensis (Hemiptera: Coccidae) on a leaf of Leucospermum cordifloium (Proteaceae). Creator: Nicholas A. Martin. © Plant & Food Research. [Image: 2T9X]

Fungal pathogen of Chinese wax scale, Ceroplastes sinensis (Hemiptera: Coccidae) and a heathy female scale on a leaf of Leucospermum cordifloium (Proteaceae). Creator: Nicholas A. Martin. © Plant & Food Research. [Image: 2TA1]

Fungal pathogen of Chinese wax scale, Ceroplastes sinensis (Hemiptera: Coccidae) and a heathy scale on a leaf of Leucospermum cordifloium (Proteaceae). Creator: Nicholas A. Martin. © Plant & Food Research. [Image: 2TA2]

Chinese wax scale, Ceroplastes sinensis (Hemiptera: Coccidae) on a stem of Tahiti lime, Citrus aurantiifolia (Rutaceae) with exit holes made by adult parasitoid wasps (Hymenoptera). Creator: Nicholas A. Martin. © Plant & Food Research. [Image: 2TA9]

Young nymphs and a red third instar nymph of Chinese wax scale, Ceroplastes sinensis (Hemiptera: Coccidae) on a leaf of Feijoa, Acca sellowiana (Myrtaceae): note the exit hole in the red scale made by an adult parasitoid wasp (Hymenoptera). Creator: Nicholas A. Martin. © Plant & Food Research. [Image: 2T96]

Adult steelblue ladybird, Halmus chalybeus (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae), about 4 mm long. Creator: Tim Holmes. © Plant & Food Research. [Image: 15VZ]

Mature larva of steelblue ladybird, Halmus chalybeus (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae). Creator: Tim Holmes. © Plant & Food Research. [Image: 15W1]

Adult Forestier's ladybird, Rhyzobius forestieri (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae). Creator: Tim Holmes. © Plant & Food Research. [Image: 2D70]

Larva of Forestier's ladybird, Rhyzobius forestieri (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae). Creator: Tim Holmes. © Plant & Food Research. [Image: 2D6Y]

Table: Natural enemies of Chinese wax scale, *Ceroplastes sinensis* (Hemiptera: Coccidae), from Plant-SyNZ database (19 September 2018). The reliability index shows the quality of evidence for the host association (0-10, 10=high quality).
Scientific Name	Common Name	Classification	Enemy Type	Reliability Index	Biostatus
Cordyceps confragosa G.H. Sung, J.M. Sung, Hywel-Jones & Spatafora		Fungi: Ascomycota: Sordariomycetes: Hypocreales: Cordycipitaceae	pathogen	10	naturalised
Coccidoctonus dubius (Girault, 1915)	(Wasp)	Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae	parasitoid	10	adventive
Coccophagus ochraceus Howard, 1895	(Wasp)	Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae	parasitoid	10	adventive
Coccophagus philippiae (Silvestri, 1915)	(Wasp)	Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae	parasitoid	10	adventive
Encarsia citrina (Craw, 1891)	(Wasp)	Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae	parasitoid	10	adventive
Moranila californica (Howard, 1881)	(Wasp)	Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae	parasitoid	10	adventive
Halmus chalybeus (Boisduval, 1835)	Steelblue ladybird (Beetle)	Coleoptera: Coccinellidae	predator	9	adventive
Rhyzobius forestieri (Mulsant, 1853)	Forestier's ladybird (Beetle)	Coleoptera: Coccinellidae	predator	10	adventive

Host plants

Chinese wax scale are found on cultivated, naturalised and native plants. Occasionally it can reach high numbers. The small nymphs are mainly found on the upper side of leaves, while the egg laying females are mostly on stems.

Feeding and honeydew

Like other Hemiptera, the adult female and nymphs of Chinese wax scale have sucking mouth parts. The long stylets, special shaped rods, are held in a short rostrum on the underside of the body. When the insect wishes to feed the stylets are then gradually pushed into the plant. The inner pair of stylets, form two tubes, one through which saliva is injected into the plant and a second through which plants juices are sucked up into the insect. The adult females and nymphs of Chinese wax scale may insert their stylets into the phloem, the plant vessels for transmitting sap from the leaves to other parts of the plant. The sap has a high volume of water and sugars, more than the insect needs. It excretes the excess water and sugar, which is called honeydew. Sooty moulds may grow on the honeydew.

Adult female Chinese wax scale, Ceroplastes sinensis (Hemiptera: Coccidae) on a frond of bracken, Pteridium esculentum (Dennstaedtiaceae). Creator: Nicholas A. Martin. © Plant & Food Research. [Image: 2T8T]

Young nymphs of Chinese wax scale, Ceroplastes sinensis (Hemiptera: Coccidae) on a frond of bracken, Pteridium esculentum (Dennstaedtiaceae). Creator: Nicholas A. Martin. © Plant & Food Research. [Image: 2T97]

Adult Chinese wax scale, Ceroplastes sinensis (Hemiptera: Coccidae) on a stem of Feijoa, Acca sellowiana (Myrtaceae): note the black sooty mould that grows on the honeydew. Creator: Nicholas A. Martin. © Plant & Food Research. [Image: 2T95]

Adult female of Chinese wax scale, Ceroplastes sinensis (Hemiptera: Coccidae) on a leaf of Tahitit lime, Citrus aurantiifolia (Myrtaceae). Creator: Nicholas A. Martin. © Plant & Food Research. [Image: 2T9P]

Young nymph of Chinese wax scale, Ceroplastes sinensis (Hemiptera: Coccidae) on a leaf of Mangrove, Avicennia marina, (Acanthaceae). Creator: Nicholas A. Martin. © Plant & Food Research. [Image: 2T9S]

Young nymphs of Chinese wax scale, Ceroplastes sinensis (Hemiptera: Coccidae) on a leaf of Twiggy Coprosma, Coprosma rhamnoides (Rubiaceae). Creator: Nicholas A. Martin. © Plant & Food Research. [Image: 2T8Y]

Third instar (stage) nymph of Chinese wax scale, Ceroplastes sinensis (Hemiptera: Coccidae) on a stem of Twiggy Coprosma, Coprosma rhamnoides (Rubiaceae). Creator: Nicholas A. Martin. © Plant & Food Research. [Image: 2T8Z]

Adult female Chinese wax scale, Ceroplastes sinensis (Hemiptera: Coccidae) on a stem of Twiggy Coprosma, Coprosma rhamnoides (Rubiaceae). Creator: Nicholas A. Martin. © Plant & Food Research. [Image: 2T8X]

Second and third instar nymphs of Chinese wax scale, Ceroplastes sinensis (Hemiptera: Coccidae) on a stem of Shrubby haloragis, Haloragis erecta (Haloragaceae). Creator: Nicholas A. Martin. © Plant & Food Research. [Image: 2TA7]

Adult female Chinese wax scale, Ceroplastes sinensis (Hemiptera: Coccidae) on a stem of Mānuka, Leptospermum scoparium (Myrtaceae). Creator: Nicholas A. Martin. © Plant & Food Research. [Image: 2T9C]

Young nymphs of Chinese wax scale, Ceroplastes sinensis (Hemiptera: Coccidae) on leaves of Pincushion, Leucospermum cordifloium (Proteaceae). Creator: Nicholas A. Martin. © Plant & Food Research. [Image: 2T9U]

Adult female Chinese wax scale, Ceroplastes sinensis (Hemiptera: Coccidae) on a leaf of Pincushion, Leucospermum cordifloium (Proteaceae). Creator: Nicholas A. Martin. © Plant & Food Research. [Image: 2T9V]

Adult female Chinese wax scale, Ceroplastes sinensis (Hemiptera: Coccidae) on a stem of Tātaka, Melicope simplex (Rutaceae). Creator: Nicholas A. Martin. © Plant & Food Research. [Image: 2T9J]

Adult female Chinese wax scale, Ceroplastes sinensis (Hemiptera: Coccidae) on a stem of Australian ngaio, Myoporum insulare (Scrophulariaceae). Creator: Nicholas A. Martin. © Plant & Food Research. [Image: 2T90]

Adult female Chinese wax scale, Ceroplastes sinensis (Hemiptera: Coccidae) on a stem of Ngaio, Myoporum laetum (Scrophulariaceae). Creator: Nicholas A. Martin. © Plant & Food Research. [Image: 2T9B]

Third instar nymph or young adult female of Chinese wax scale, Ceroplastes sinensis (Hemiptera: Coccidae) on stem of Red mapou, Myrsine australis, (Primulaceae). Creator: Nicholas A. Martin. © Plant & Food Research. [Image: 2T9G]

Adult female Chinese wax scale, Ceroplastes sinensis (Hemiptera: Coccidae) on stem of Red mapou, Myrsine australis, (Primulaceae). Creator: Nicholas A. Martin. © Plant & Food Research. [Image: 2T9H]

Young nymphs of Chinese wax scale, Ceroplastes sinensis (Hemiptera: Coccidae) on a leaf of Olearia albida (Compositae). Creator: Nicholas A. Martin. © Plant & Food Research. [Image: 2TA0]

Young nymphs of Chinese wax scale, Ceroplastes sinensis (Hemiptera: Coccidae) on a leaf of Olearia paniculata (Compositae). Creator: Nicholas A. Martin. © Plant & Food Research. [Image: 2T8R]

Adult female Chinese wax scale, Ceroplastes sinensis (Hemiptera: Coccidae) on a stem of Olearia paniculata (Compositae). Creator: Nicholas A. Martin. © Plant & Food Research. [Image: 2T8S]

Young nymphs of Chinese wax scale, Ceroplastes sinensis (Hemiptera: Coccidae) on a leaf of Olearia rani (Compositae). Creator: Nicholas A. Martin. © Plant & Food Research. [Image: 2TA4]

Third instar nymphs of Chinese wax scale, Ceroplastes sinensis (Hemiptera: Coccidae) on a leaf of Olearia rani (Compositae). Creator: Nicholas A. Martin. © Plant & Food Research. [Image: 2TA5]

Adult female Chinese wax scale, Ceroplastes sinensis (Hemiptera: Coccidae) on stem of Syzygium sp., (Myrtaceae). Creator: Nicholas A. Martin. © Plant & Food Research. [Image: 2T9K]

Adult female Chinese wax scale, Ceroplastes sinensis (Hemiptera: Coccidae) on stem of Syzygium sp., (Myrtaceae). Creator: Nicholas A. Martin. © Plant & Food Research. [Image: 2T9L]

Adult females and thried instar nymphs of Chinese wax scale, Ceroplastes sinensis (Hemiptera: Coccidae) on leaves of Hebe, Veronica stricta (Plantaginaceae). Creator: Nicholas A. Martin. © Plant & Food Research. [Image: 2T91]

Young nymphs of Chinese wax scale, Ceroplastes sinensis (Hemiptera: Coccidae) on leaves of Hebe, Veronica stricta (Plantaginaceae). Creator: Nicholas A. Martin. © Plant & Food Research. [Image: 2T92]

An Adult female and young nymphs of Chinese wax scale, Ceroplastes sinensis (Hemiptera: Coccidae) on a leaf of Pūriri, Vitex lucens (Labiatae). Creator: Nicholas A. Martin. © Plant & Food Research. [Image: 2T93]

Table: Host plants of the Chinese wax scale, *Ceroplastes sinensis* (Hemiptera: Coccidae) from Plant-SyNZ database (19 September 2018). The reliability score shows the quality of evidence for the host association (1-10, 10=high).
Common Name(s)	Scientific Name	Family	Reliability Index	Biostatus
Austral bracken, Bracken, Bracken fern, Common fern, Manehu, rahurahu, Rārahu, Rarauhe, Rarauhe-mahuika, Tākaka	Pteridium esculentum (G.Forst.) Cockayne	Dennstaedtiaceae	10	indigenous, non-endemic
Feijoa, Pineapple guava	Acca sellowiana (O.Berg) Burret	Myrtaceae	10	naturalised
Chinese gooseberry, Kiwifruit, Yang-tao	Actinidia deliciosa (A.Chev.) C.F.Liang & A.R.Ferguson	Actinidiaceae	10	naturalised
New Zealand ash, Tapitapi, Tītoki, Tītongi, Tokitoki, Tongitongi, Topitopi	Alectryon excelsus Gaertn.	Sapindaceae	10	endemic
Mangrove, Mānawa	Avicennia marina (Forsk.) Vierh. subsp. australasica (Walp.) J.Everett	Acanthaceae	10	indigenous, non-endemic
Barberry	Berberis glaucocarpa Stapf	Berberidaceae	10	naturalised
Barberry, Oregon grape	Berberis sp.	Berberidaceae	7	unknown
	Berberis thunbergii DC.	Berberidaceae	8	unknown
weeping bottlebrush	Callistemon viminalis (Sol. ex Gaertn.) G. Don	Myrtaceae	10	cultivated
Meyer lemon, Chinese dwarf lemon	Citrus ×meyeri Yu. Tanaka	Rutaceae	10	cultivated
Tangelo	Citrus ×tangelo J.W.Ingram & H.E.Moore	Rutaceae	10	cultivated
Tahiti lime	Citrus aurantiifolia (Christm.) Swingle	Rutaceae	10	cultivated
New Zealand grapefruit	Citrus grandis × reticulata	Rutaceae	10	cultivated
Lemon	Citrus limon (L.) Burm.f.	Rutaceae	10	naturalised
Clementine, Mandarin, Tangerine	Citrus reticulata Blanco	Rutaceae	10	naturalised
Sweet orange, Navel orange	Citrus sinensis (L.) Osbeck	Rutaceae	10	naturalised
Citrus	Citrus sp.	Rutaceae	7	unknown
Satsuma mandarin, Satsuma	Citrus unshiu Marcow.	Rutaceae	10	cultivated
Sand coprosma, Tarakupenga, Tātarahake, Tātaraheke	Coprosma acerosa A. Cunn.	Rubiaceae	10	endemic
Twiggy Coprosma	Coprosma rhamnoides A.Cunn.	Rubiaceae	10	endemic
Glossy karamu, Kākaramū, Kākarangū, Karamū, Kāramuramu, Karangū	Coprosma robusta Raoul	Rubiaceae	10	endemic
Three Kings cabbage tree	Cordyline obtecta (Graham) Baker	Asparagaceae	10	indigenous, non-endemic
Corokia	Corokia sp.	Argophyllaceae	7	endemic
Red flowering gum, Scarlet flowering gum	Corymbia ficifolia (F.Muell.) K.D.Hill & L.A.S.Johnson	Myrtaceae	10	naturalised
Hawthorn, Neapolitan medlar, White hawthorn	Crataegus monogyna Jacq.	Rosaceae	10	naturalised
African red alder, Butterknife bush	Cunonia capensis L.	Cunoniaceae	10	cultivated
Sticky hop-bush, ake, Ake rautangi, Akeake	Dodonaea viscosa Jacq. subsp. viscosa Jacq.	Sapindaceae	10	indigenous, non-endemic
Golden dewdrop	Duranta erecta	Verbenaceae	10	cultivated
Hauama, Houama, Whau, Whauama, Whauma	Entelea arborescens R.Br.	Malvaceae	10	endemic
Red escallonia	Escallonia rubra (Ruiz & Pav.) Pers.	Escalloniaceae	10	naturalised
Japanese spindle tree	Euonymus japonicus Thunb.	Celastraceae	10	naturalised
Benjamin tree, Java fig, Small-leaved rubber plant, Tropic laurel, Weeping fig	Ficus benjamina L.	Moraceae	10	cultivated
Creeping fuchsia, Trailing fuchsia, Climbing fuchsia	Fuchsia procumbens A.Cunn.	Onagraceae	10	endemic
Black beech, Tawhai rauriki	Fuscospora solandri (Hook.f.) Heenan & Smissen	Nothofagaceae	10	endemic
Cape jasmine, Gardenia	Gardenia sp.	Rubiaceae	7	cultivated
Lacebark, Hohere, Hoihere, Houhere, Houhi, Houhi ongaonga, Houī, Ongaonga, Whauahi, Wheuhi	Hoheria populnea A.Cunn	Malvaceae	10	endemic
Australian frangipani, Sweetshade, Wing-seed tree	Hymenosporum flavum (Hook.) F.Muell.	Pittosporaceae	10	naturalised
Common holly, English holly, Holly	Ilex aquifolium L.	Aquifoliaceae	10	naturalised
Dwarf mistletoe	Korthalsella salicornioides (A. Cunn.) Tiegh	Santalaceae	10	endemic
Bay, Laurel, Sweet bay	Laurus nobilis L.	Lauraceae	10	naturalised
	Lepidozamia peroffskyana Regel	Zamiaceae	10	cultivated
Red tea tree, Tea tree, Kahikātoa, Kātoa, Mānuka, Pata, Rauiri, Rauwiri	Leptospermum scoparium J.R.Forst. & G.Forst.	Myrtaceae	10	indigenous, non-endemic
Flamespike, Pincushion	Leucospermum cordifloium (Knight) Fourc.	Proteaceae	10	cultivated
Mikoikoi, New Zealand iris, Mānga-a-Huripapa, Mikoikoi, Tūkāuki, Tūrutu	Libertia grandiflora (R.Br.) Sweet	Iridaceae	10	endemic
New Zealand iris, Mānga-a-Huripapa, Mikoikoi, Tūkāuki, Tūrutu	Libertia ixioides (G.Forst.) Spreng.	Iridaceae	10	endemic
Litchi, Lychee	Litchi chinensis Sonn.	Sapindaceae	10	naturalised
Honeysuckle, Woodbine	Lonicera sp.	Caprifoliaceae	7	unknown
New Zealand myrtle, Ramarama	Lophomyrtus bullata Burret	Myrtaceae	10	endemic
Brushbox, Vinegar tree, Brisbane box	Lophostemon confertus (R.Br.) Peter G.Wilson & J.T.Waterh.	Myrtaceae	10	cultivated
Apple, Crab-apple	Malus ×domestica Borkh.	Rosaceae	10	naturalised
Chilean mayten, maiten, Mayten	Maytenus boaria Molina	Celastraceae	10	naturalised
	Melaleuca hypericifolia Sm.	Myrtaceae	10	naturalised
Poataniwha, Tātaka	Melicope simplex A.Cunn.	Rutaceae	10	endemic
Houkūmara, Koheriki, Tākaka, Tātaka, Wharangi, Wharangipiro	Melicope ternata J.R.Forst. & G.Forst.	Rutaceae	10	endemic
Whiteywood, Hinahina, Inaina, Inihina, Māhoe, Moeahu, Kaiweta	Melicytus ramiflorus J.R.Forst. & G.Forst.	Violaceae	9	indigenous, non-endemic
	Metrosideros collina A.Gray	Myrtaceae	10	naturalised
New Zealand Christmas tree, Hutukawa, Kahika, Pohutukawa, Pōhutukawa, Rātā	Metrosideros excelsa Sol. ex Gaertn.	Myrtaceae	9	endemic
Australian ngaio, Boobialla, Tasmanian ngaio	Myoporum insulare R.Br.	Scrophulariaceae	9	naturalised
Ngaio	Myoporum laetum G.Forst.	Scrophulariaceae	10	endemic
Red mapou, Red matipo, Māpau, Māpou, Mataira, Matipou, Takapou, Tāpau, Tīpau	Myrsine australis (A.Rich.) Allan	Primulaceae	10	endemic
Satinwood	Nematolepis squamea (Labill.) Paul G.Wilson	Rutaceae	10	cultivated
Tanguru	Olearia albida (Hook.f.) Hook.f.	Compositae	10	endemic
Akepiro, Kūmara-kai-torouka, Tanguru, Wharangi-piro	Olearia furfuracea (A.Rich.) Hook.f.	Compositae	10	endemic
Golden akeake, Akepiro, Akiraho	Olearia paniculata (J.R.Forst. & G.Forst.) Druce	Compositae	10	endemic
Akewharangi, Heketara, Ngungu, Taraheke, Tātaraheke, Wharangi-piro	Olearia rani (A. Cunn.) Druce	Compositae	10	endemic
Avocado	Persea americana Mill.	Lauraceae	10	naturalised
Lancewood, Hoheka, Horoeka, Koeka, Kokoeka, Ohoeka	Pseudopanax crassifolius (Sol. ex A.Cunn.) K.Koch	Araliaceae	10	endemic
Alpine pepper tree, Mountain horopito, Pepper tree, Red horopito, Horopito, ōramarama, Ramarama	Pseudowintera colorata (Raoul) Dandy	Winteraceae	10	endemic
Pomegranate	Punica granatum L.	Lythraceae	10	cultivated
Haumakāroa, Haumakōroa, Haumangōroa, Kaiwiria	Raukaua simplex (G.Forst.) A.D.Mitch., Frodin & Heads	Araliaceae	10	endemic
Sexton's bride	Rhaphiolepis umbellata (Thunb.) Makino	Rosaceae	10	naturalised
Rose	Rosa sp. 'cultivated'	Rosaceae	7	cultivated
Brazilian pepper tree, Broadleaf pepper tree, Christmas berry	Schinus terebinthifolius Raddi	Anacardiaceae	10	cultivated
Bullibul, Bullibulli, Kangaroo apple, Pōpopo, Poroporo, Poroporotanguru	Solanum aviculare G.Forst.	Solanaceae	10	indigenous, non-endemic
	Spiraea thunbergii Siebold ex Blume	Rosaceae	10	cultivated
Three Kings milk tree, Smith's milkwood	Streblus smithii (Cheeseman) Corner	Moraceae	10	endemic
Brush cherry	Syzygium australe (Link) B.Hyland	Myrtaceae	10	naturalised
	Tecomanthe speciosa W.R.B.Oliv.	Bignoniaceae	10	endemic
Tree germander	Teucrium fruticans L.	Labiatae	10	cultivated
	Thunbergia sp.	Acanthaceae	7	naturalised
Kanooka, Water gum	Tristaniopsis laurina (Sm.) Peter G.Wilson & J.T.Waterh.	Myrtaceae	10	naturalised
	Vaccinium sp.	Ericaceae	7	unknown
Hebe	Veronica stricta Banks & Sol. ex Benth. var. stricta	Plantaginaceae	10	endemic
Blue periwinkle, Greater periwinkle, Periwinkle	Vinca major L.	Apocynaceae	10	naturalised
New Zealand oak, Kauere, Pūriri	Vitex lucens Kirk	Labiatae	10	endemic
Grape	Vitis vinifera L.	Vitaceae	10	naturalised

Honeydew feeding

The adult females and nymphs of Chinese wax scale insert their stylets into the phloem, the plant vessels for transmitting sap from the leaves to other parts of the plant. The sap has a high volume of water and sugars, more than the insect needs. It excretes the excess water and sugar, which is called honeydew. Sooty moulds may grow on the honeydew.

Four species of ant have been recorded feeding on Chinese wax scale honeydew.

Information sources

Hodgson CJ, Henderson RC. 2000. Coccidae (Insecta: Hemiptera: Coccoidea). Fauna of New Zealand. 41: 1-264.

Plant-SyNZ: Invertebrate herbivore-host plant association database. plant-synz.landcareresearch.co.nz/

Acknowledgements

The New Zealand Institute for Plant & Food Research Limited (Plant & Food Research) for permission to use photographs.

Other images

Underside of an adult female Chinese wax scale, Ceroplastes sinensis (Hemiptera: Coccidae). Creator: Nicholas A. Martin. © Plant & Food Research. [Image: 2TA3]

Female Chinese wax scale, Ceroplastes sinensis (Hemiptera: Coccidae) on stem of Red mapou, Myrsine australis (Primulaceae). Creator: Nicholas A. Martin. © Plant & Food Research. [Image: 2T9Q]

INTERESTING INSECTS

and other invertebrates