Lecanochiton metrosideri Maskell
In this section
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Factsheets
- Aphenochiton inconspicuus
- Aphenochiton kamahi
- Aphenochiton pronus
- Aphenochiton pubens
- Aphenochiton subtilis
- Ceroplastes destructor
- Ceroplastes sinensis
- Coccus hesperidum
- Coccus longulus
- Crystallotesta fagi
- Crystallotesta leptospermi
- Crystallotesta neofagi
- Crystallotesta ornata
- Crystallotesta ornatella
- Ctenochiton chelyon
- Ctenochiton paraviridis
- Ctenochiton toru
- Ctenochiton viridis
- Epelidochiton piperis
- Inglisia patella
- Kalasiris depressa
- Kalasiris perforata
- Lecanochiton actites
- Lecanochiton metrosideri
- Lecanochiton scutellaris
- Parasaissetia nigra
- Parthenolacanium corni
- Plumichiton diadema
- Plumichiton elaeocarpi
- Plumichiton flavus
- Plumichiton nikau
- Plumichiton pollicinus
- Poropeza dacrydii
- Pounamococcus cuneatus
- Pulvinaria hydrangeae
- Pulvinaria mesembryanthemi
- Pulvinaria vitis
- Saissetia coffeae
- Saissetia oleae
- Umbonichiton adelus
- Umbonichiton bullatus
- Umbonichiton hymenantherae
- Umbonichiton pellaspis
William Maskell named this species in 1882, after the host plant genus, and this scale can be found on rātā trees. It is common along the west coast of the South Island to Fiordland, and on Stewart Island.
Status in New Zealand: The button scales of New Zealand are unique in that their dorsal or upper part (the flat, oval piece in the middle of the scale) doesn't expand when adult. Instead, the venter or under part expands, and forms the outer sides. This is why the breathing channels, the two white stripes of wax in the photo, are visible, while in other kinds of scales they are hidden underneath.
Biology: probably one generation per year. Usually all stages are on the leaves but sometimes adult females are found on thin stems if there is overcrowding from other scales.
Found on the leaves of:
Metrosideros umbellata | southern rātā |
Metrosideros sp. |