Scottish Rock Garden Club Forum

General Subjects => General Forum => Topic started by: Len Rhind on December 07, 2007, 12:44:59 AM

Title: Can anyone identify these?
Post by: Len Rhind on December 07, 2007, 12:44:59 AM

We spotted these things on a tree in London a few years ago. They look pretty awful to me. Does anyone know what they are?
Chrees, Len.

Title: Re: Can anyone identify these?
Post by: Carlo on December 07, 2007, 01:19:31 AM

look like madeleines to me...

Title: Re: Can anyone identify these?
Post by: annew on December 07, 2007, 08:21:22 AM

Definitely some kind of fancy cake icing, I think. :P

Title: Re: Can anyone identify these?
Post by: tonyg on December 07, 2007, 08:40:58 AM

Definitely pasta :D

Title: Re: Can anyone identify these?
Post by: Paul T on December 07, 2007, 11:03:45 AM

I'm assuming that the other answers were tongue in cheek and that they (other than Len of course) DO know what they are?  They're a type of soft scale.  The "cake icing" is a protective layer they produce to keep themselves moist and covered while they suck the juice from the plant.  You can see the more traditional "scale" sitting like a cap at the top of each piece of foam.

I'm sure some of the insectivores here will be able to identify down to specific name etc, but at least this is a start for Len.  Is that a help?

Title: Re: Can anyone identify these?
Post by: zephirine on December 07, 2007, 11:10:48 AM

IT should be Icerya purchasi, I think, the australian cottony cushion scale:
http://www.agroinformacion.com/img/upload/plagas/icerya-purchasi.gif
Zeph

Title: Re: Can anyone identify these?
Post by: Maggi Young on December 07, 2007, 11:59:22 AM

These are new to me... odd looking things with bad habits, eh? Thanks for the info, Paul and Zeph....hoping NOT to see these confections in real life!

Title: Re: Can anyone identify these?
Post by: Anthony Darby on December 07, 2007, 12:38:37 PM

It is worrying that this alien is now resident in the UK. http://www.defra.gov.uk/planth/publicat/newsjan.pdf

Title: Re: Can anyone identify these?
Post by: Len Rhind on December 07, 2007, 10:34:59 PM

Thanks Tyerman and Zephirine you obviously know your stuff.
Len