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
1830-40
Examples from the web for scale insect
He is widely recognized as a world expert on scale insect identification and management.
The timing of the latter spray will depend on the specific scale insect and geographic location of the trees.
The scale insect has been under eradication in the county.
Trees of the citrus species, which are attacked by scale insect, are usually the ones fumigated.
British Dictionary definitions for scale insect
scale insect
noun
1.
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 in Science
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.