scale insect

noun

any of numerous small, plant-sucking homopterous insects of the superfamily Coccoidea, the males of which are winged and the females wingless, often covered by a waxy secretion resembling scales.

scale insect

any small homopterous insect of the family Coccidae and related families, which typically live and feed on plants and secrete a protective scale around themselves. Many species, such as the San Jose scale, are important pests

scale insect

Any of various small homopterous insects of the superfamily Coccoidea that suck the juices of plants, the females of which secrete and remain under waxy scales on plant tissue.

First recorded in 1830–40

Man can dodge Nature as the scale insect cannot, but higher forms of life can, and man the most effectively of all.

Mother has heard of a scale insect out in California which has been a great nuisance to fruit-growers.

Dr. Lutz says that the manna which fed the Children of Israel was honeydew secreted by a scale insect, and that it is still eaten.

Cochineal is the dried scale-insect Coccus cacti, which lives on certain of the cactus plants of Mexico and elsewhere.

It is a minute scale insect the size of a small pinhead, shield-shaped, with a raised center.

April 24, 2024gallimaufry

[gal-uh-maw-free ]

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