scale insect

noun

: any of numerous small prolific homopterous insects (superfamily Coccoidea) that have winged males, wingless scale-covered females attached to the host plant, and young that suck the juices of plants and some of which are serious pests

Examples of scale insect in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The specks are immature scale insects called crawlers — the only life stage at which the insects move. —Tim Johnson, Chicago Tribune, 6 Apr. 2025

Honeydew is a sugary waste liquid produced by sap-feeding insects like aphids, certain scale insects, and planthoppers. —Miri Talabac, Baltimore Sun, 13 Mar. 2025

Thrips, aphids, scale insects, and whiteflies occasionally appear, but can usually be controlled with a hard spray of water or insecticidal soap. —Rita Pelczar, Better Homes & Gardens, 20 Jan. 2025

Aphids, mealybugs, and scale insects are particularly fond of lemon cypress trees, but these pests are treatable. —Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 19 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1840, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for scale insect

• aftereffect
• interconnect
• affect
• aspect
• bedecked
• bisect
• collect
• connect
• correct
• deflect
• detect
• direct

Kids Definition

scale insect

noun

: any of numerous small insects related to aphids and including many destructive plant pests in which the males have wings, the females are scale-covered and are often permanently attached to a host plant, and the young suck the juices of plants