Insect
Sooty Beech Scale
Ultracoelostoma brittiniAlso known as Beech Scale Insect, Beech Scale
Sooty beech scale insects burrow deep into the bark of native New Zealand beech trees, tapping into phloem sap and producing sweet droplets of honeydew through long, waxy filaments. This abundant honeydew sustains native forest birds like tūī and bellbirds while nurturing a thick carpet of dark sooty mold across the tree trunks. Though tiny and hidden from view, these insects act as foundational ecological engineers within southern beech forest ecosystems.
EndemicForest InsectHoneydew Producer
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Not EvaluatedConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXNot Evaluated — not placed on the risk ladderRed List categories, explained →
Diet & preyPhloem sap from beech trees
Predators
- Invasive Vespula Wasps
- Kākā
- Bellbird
ThreatsInvasive wasps consuming honeydew and preying on native insects
HabitatsNative southern beech forests
Life span1 year
Classification
- FamilyMargarodidae
- SpeciesUltracoelostoma brittini
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Safe to observe at a normal distance.
Responsible observation
- Inspect Bark: Search black-coated beech trunks for thin, glassy waxy threads protruding from bark crevices.
- Spot Droplets: Look closely at thread tips during calm mornings to see glistening honeydew beads.
- Mind Invasive Wasps: Avoid touching honeydew-covered trunks in late summer when wasps gather heavily.
Host Plant Kahuroa / Public domain · cc0
Frequent Visitor (c) Jacqui Geux, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Jacqui Geux · cc-by
Competitor (c) Tom, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Tom · cc-by
Frequent Visitor (c) Possums' End, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Possums' End · cc-by
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