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.

Origin of scale insect

First recorded in 1830–40

Words nearby scale insect

Example sentences from the Web for scale insect

British Dictionary definitions for scale insect

scale insect

noun

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

Scientific definitions for scale insect

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.