scale insect

/skeɪl ˌɪnˈsɛkt/

Other forms: scale insects

Definitions of scale insect

1. noun

   small homopterous insect that usually lives and feeds on plants and secretes a protective waxy covering
   types:

   soft scale

   an insect active in all stages

   wax insect

   any of various insects that secrete a waxy substance

   armored scale

   insect having a firm covering of wax especially in the female

   Dactylopius coccus, cochineal, cochineal insect

   Mexican red scale insect that feeds on cacti; the source of a red dye

   Coccus hesperidum, brown soft scale

   pest on citrus trees

   Aspidiotus perniciosus, San Jose scale

   small east Asian insect naturalized in the United States that damages fruit trees

   type of:

   coccid insect

   scale insects and mealybugs