November 2006. Cook Islands asked for assistance in identifying a scale insect found on leaves and stems of two young mango trees on Rarotonga. At first glance, the infestation looked similar to that of spiralling white fly, but under the waxy filaments were 1 mm long white scales with ridges thought to be the male scales. The females are larger (3 mm) and not covered by the waxy material. No other host plants have been detected in the area.

It was suggested that it was the “toothpaste scale”, Pulvinaria psidii Maskell, also known as The green scale (Editor). See also:

http://www.sel.barc.usda.gov/ScaleKeys/SoftScales/key/Soft_scales/Media/Html/Species/34Pulv_psidii/1Pulv_psidiiDesc.html