Cottony Camellia Scale - Pulvinaria floccifera

Description

This brown scale insect can sometimes be detected by the white wax film it produces, usually on the underside of leaves, which protects its eggs. 

Identification difficulty
Recording advice

Unless identified by a recognised expert, a photo is required. If the photo doesn't show the key ID features then in the comments box describe the size and identifying characters you have observed.

Habitat

It is a polyphagous insect with more than 80 host plant species belonging to 35 families and is considered a serious pest of fruit trees and ornamentals in many parts of the world, especially in countries with tropical and subtropical climate.

When to see it

Various life stages may be seen in most months of the year.

UK Status

True status in Britain is difficult to determine due to lack of records.

VC55 Status

Status in Leicestershire and Rutland not known.

Leicestershire & Rutland Map

MAP KEY:

Yellow squares = NBN records (all known data)
Coloured circles = NatureSpot records: 2025+ | 2020-2024 | pre-2020

UK Map

Species profile

Common names
Cottony Camellia Scale
Species group:
insect - true bug (Hemiptera)
Kingdom:
Animalia
Order:
Hemiptera
Family:
Coccidae
Records on NatureSpot:
3
First record:
03/06/2019 (Smith, Peter)
Last record:
19/05/2024 (Smith, Peter)

Total records by month

% of records within its species group

10km squares with records

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Latest records