[cay]

Sorry for all of my crazy creepy crawly posts, but this one really has us stumped!!

It looks like a Bowser shell with hairy tentacles! We're going crazy! Haha

 

[thrax]

OMG call NASA. It's from Mars... Actually I have no idea. I will ask an expert I know...

 

[Alcalaina]

Woolly aphid?

Have you noticed any sticky white gum on fresh green shoots, and lots of ants around?

 

[thrax]

OK I have asked the question... woolly aphid might be correct...

 

[thrax]

Apparently, I'm informed, it's a meely bug but I am not convinced

 

[Alcalaina]

This is a mealy bug.

https://goo.gl/images/8tCUia

 

[cay]

Apparently, I'm informed, it's a meely bug but I am not convinced

Woolly aphid?

Have you noticed any sticky white gum on fresh green shoots, and lots of ants around?

Thanks for the input guys!! It's definitely not a mealybug as we've had those before and this is way bigger… I did some digging and found out it's an Australian Cottony Cushion Scale. An invader it seems!! Not Mars, but the great Down Under

http://natureitems.blogspot.com/2007/03/26-icerya-purchasi-aussie-sap-sucker.html?m=1

 

[Alcalaina]

Thanks for the input guys!! It's definitely not a mealybug as we've had those before and this is way bigger… I did some digging and found out it's an Australian Cottony Cushion Scale. An invader it seems!! Not Mars, but the great Down Under

Esperance Blog: Icerya purchasi, an Aussie sap-sucker

Goodness, how did it find its way to Spain I wonder?

 

[cay]

Goodness, how did it find its way to Spain I wonder?

That's exactly what I was wondering. Infected apple crops perhaps? They also come from New Zealand.

 

[Alcalaina]

That's exactly what I was wondering. Infected apple crops perhaps? They also come from New Zealand.

Perhaps you should report it. We don't want another red palm weevil scenario.

 

[cay]

Perhaps you should report it. We don't want another red palm weevil scenario.

Do I just contact the ajuntament?

 

[Pazcat]

I wouldn't get that carried away, they have been spread around the world for many years.

Unless you want to buy some ladybirds as a biological control then just spray them with your garden insecticide/oil of choice.