Viburnum Cushion Scale

Viburnum Cushion Scale - Lichtensia viburni

Alternative names
Viburnum Scale
Description

This species is mainly found on the foliage of Viburnum tinus and Ivy. Adult females are flat, oval, pale yellow and up to 4mm long. Males are 2.5mm long, white and elongate ovals. In May-June the females become covered with a white fluffy wax coating in which the eggs are laid. The larvae hatch from the eggs in late June. 

Habitat

A pest of olive groves in the Mediterranean region, it is also associated with Ivy and some Viburnum species.

Life History

In warm regions it is double brooded but there is usually only one generation per year in northern Europe.  Once fertilised, females become swollen and move to the leaves of the host plant.  Their bodies become covered in a white waxy wool-like covering. This becomes the ovisac (egg sac) and is almost filled with eggs. The female dies and remains within the ovisac.

UK Status

Status in Britain not known.

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

Additional images

All NatureSpot records