Download high resolution image here.

These images follow first stage larva cyst images in a series (linked below) documenting the development of a scale insect infesting the pinyon (Pinus edulis) tree in the southeast corner of the Federal Credit Union parking lot on the Corner of Sherman Ave. and Chanute St. (Albuquerque East 7.5 minute quadrangle), Kirtland AFB, Bernalillo Co. NM.

The cysts have grown considerably since their first stage (imaged October 6, 2016). The second image includes a second stage cyst covering (upper left) from which an immature male crawler has already eclosed. Adult females, which retain a larval form, eclose in the spring, but the males eclose beforehand in the fall and overwinter in the detritus under the tree. A much smaller first stage cyst (lower right) is also shown in the second image. It may be a female. There is roughly an equal mix of first and second stage cysts at this time. Since the males eclose first, there may be a selective advantage to the females delaying most of their developement until after the males are no longer taxing the tree's resources. The second image also shows (middle right) residual resinous cement from a cyst which has fallen off.

This image is from a CombineZP processed stack of 293 images with a 5.6 µm step taken with a Mitutoyo M Plan APO 10X/0.28 ∞/0 mm microscope objective + Nikon 135 mm F2.8 AIS telephoto lens + Nikon D300 camera (magnification 6.75×; technique described here).

Phases of development: