Monophlebulus sp. (genus)

Giant Snowball Mealybug at Mogareeka, NSW

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Identification history

Unidentified

3 Mar 2019

JackieLambert

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3 comments

KerriLee wrote:

3 Mar 2019

As you said yesterday, this definitely looks like a bug. I can just make out the piercing mouthparts in your 3rd photo. I looks similar to Monophlebulus sp., a species we have seen in the area:
https://atlasoflife.naturemapr.org/Community/Species/Details/21136

Did it seem to have a fuzzy white coating? Here's a bit more information about mealy bugs on a website called Brisbane Insects. It's one of many different websites we use when we're trying to identify unfamiliar insects.
https://www.brisbaneinsects.com/brisbane_softbugs/SnowBallMealybug.htm
If it is Monophlbulus, it must be a young one. They reach about 20mm long as adults.

JackieLambert wrote:

4 Mar 2019

Yes, it did have a fuzzy white coating and I think it was dead because there were ants around it Jackie.

KerriLee wrote:

4 Mar 2019

Perhaps it was dead, but it could also be a species that is 'ant-tended'. That is, many bugs and other plant-feeding insects have a mutually-beneficial relationship with ants. The ants get food in the form of left-over sugary syrup from the bug, and the bug is protected because ants chase away potential predators.

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