Stock photo: Black Beech Tree with female scale insect waxy filaments with honeydew Bellbird Walk Lake Rotoiti

Stock photo of Black Beech Tree with female scale insect waxy filaments protruding with honeydew on the end seen along the Bellbird Walk at Lake Rotoiti, Nelson Lakes National Park, South Island, New Zealand.

This stock photo shows the bark of the Black Beech Tree with female scale insect waxy filaments protruding with honeydew on the end seen along the Bellbird Walk at Lake Rotoiti, Nelson Lakes National Park, South Island, New Zealand.

A close view of the bark of the Black Beech tree shows thin filaments with a drop of honeydew on the ends. The fibers are attached to the bumpy rough tree bark.

A sooty mold grows on the trunk and branches of the black beech. The honeydew droplets feed the mold on the tree.

A scale insect or parasite sucks the sap and then excretes the honeydew. Other insects and birds enjoy the droplets, they are a high energy food source and the mold does not harm the trees.

Black Beech Tree with female scale insect waxy filaments protruding with honeydew on the end seen along the Bellbird Walk at Lake Rotoiti, Nelson Lakes National Park, South Island, New Zealand.