Scale Insect
Coccoidea
These golden brown scales are adhered to a twig of a Muhutu Tree, (Terminalia brownii). Both scales appear to have been parasitized, probably by a minute wasp. Kitale, Kenya, March 2011. A myrmicine ant, possibly Myrmicaria is investigating.
The hardened casings of armoured scales often remain long after the responsible
insect has disappeared. The lacquer material is durable and was originally
secreted by the bug as protection against the elements and potential enemies.
Many scale insects also exude sugary substances attractive to ants. The ants
take the sugar without harming the bugs and may offer additional protection
from wasps and beetles. The perfectly round holes in these indicate the
emergence of minute parasitic wasps that destroyed the bug inside.