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Plumichiton elaeocarpi (Maskell)

Black plumed scale
[Plumichiton elaeocarpi]. L: young adult female. R: mature adult female. She has a hardened black skin and only the remains of a wax test: a little on the top and a worn down marginal fringe.

[Plumichiton elaeocarpi]. L: young adult female. R: mature adult female. She has a hardened black skin and only the remains of a wax test: a little on the top and a worn down marginal fringe.

William Maskell named this species in 1885, for one of its host plants, Elaeocarpus.

Biology: Probably one generation per year, with a long period of adulthood and an extended crawler production period (a few at a time).

Found on the stems and leaves of:

Beilschmiedia tawa   tawa
Coprosma sp.  
Elaeocarpus dentatus hīnau
Hedycarya arborea porokaiwhiri / pigeonwood
Ileostylus micranthus mistletoe
Litsea calicaris mangeao
Weinmannia racemosa kāmahi
Weinmannia silvicola tōwhai