This week's critter, the great giant scale, (Coelostomidia zealandica) is a native specie of scale bug. Females have pink wingless bodies and look like they have terrible dandruff, with a dusting of white waxy powder all over their squat bodies.
The great gian scale is an excellent example of 'opposites attracting'. The winged males look completely different - they are much smaller, bright red and look a bit like tiny flies.
Great giant scale Photo: supplied via Forest and Bird
