ground pearl

ground pearl

▪ insect
      any of a group of scale insects in the family Margarodidae (order Homoptera) that have an iridescent globular body 2 to 4 mm (0.08 to 0.16 inch) in length. Ground pearl insects vary in colour from metallic bronze, red, or gold to cream or silver. They are worldwide in distribution, and are often found on the roots of plants or scattered in the soil. They can best be controlled by using sufficient amounts of water and fertilizer around susceptible plants.

      In the tropics, the protective waxy coverings that are secreted by ground pearls are used as beads and ornaments. These insects are also a source of varnish.

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Universalium. 2010.

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  • Ground pearl — Pearl Pearl, n. [OE. perle, F. perle, LL. perla, perula, probably fr. (assumed) L. pirulo, dim. of L. pirum a pear. See {Pear}, and cf. {Purl} to mantle.] 1. (Zo[ o]l.) A shelly concretion, usually rounded, and having a brilliant luster, with… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Ground pearl — ground ground (ground), n. [OE. ground, grund, AS. grund; akin to D. grond, OS., G., Sw., & Dan. grund, Icel. grunnr bottom, Goth. grundus (in composition); perh. orig. meaning, dust, gravel, and if so perh. akin to E. grind.] 1. The surface of… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • ground pearl — noun : an encysted form of the female of various coccid insects of Margarodes and closely related genera in which a shelly covering is formed that in some regions is collected and strung into necklaces; also : a coccid having such an encysted… …   Useful english dictionary

  • Pearl — Pearl, n. [OE. perle, F. perle, LL. perla, perula, probably fr. (assumed) L. pirulo, dim. of L. pirum a pear. See {Pear}, and cf. {Purl} to mantle.] 1. (Zo[ o]l.) A shelly concretion, usually rounded, and having a brilliant luster, with varying… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Pearl barley — Pearl Pearl, n. [OE. perle, F. perle, LL. perla, perula, probably fr. (assumed) L. pirulo, dim. of L. pirum a pear. See {Pear}, and cf. {Purl} to mantle.] 1. (Zo[ o]l.) A shelly concretion, usually rounded, and having a brilliant luster, with… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Pearl diver — Pearl Pearl, n. [OE. perle, F. perle, LL. perla, perula, probably fr. (assumed) L. pirulo, dim. of L. pirum a pear. See {Pear}, and cf. {Purl} to mantle.] 1. (Zo[ o]l.) A shelly concretion, usually rounded, and having a brilliant luster, with… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Pearl edge — Pearl Pearl, n. [OE. perle, F. perle, LL. perla, perula, probably fr. (assumed) L. pirulo, dim. of L. pirum a pear. See {Pear}, and cf. {Purl} to mantle.] 1. (Zo[ o]l.) A shelly concretion, usually rounded, and having a brilliant luster, with… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Pearl eye — Pearl Pearl, n. [OE. perle, F. perle, LL. perla, perula, probably fr. (assumed) L. pirulo, dim. of L. pirum a pear. See {Pear}, and cf. {Purl} to mantle.] 1. (Zo[ o]l.) A shelly concretion, usually rounded, and having a brilliant luster, with… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Pearl gray — Pearl Pearl, n. [OE. perle, F. perle, LL. perla, perula, probably fr. (assumed) L. pirulo, dim. of L. pirum a pear. See {Pear}, and cf. {Purl} to mantle.] 1. (Zo[ o]l.) A shelly concretion, usually rounded, and having a brilliant luster, with… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Pearl millet — Pearl Pearl, n. [OE. perle, F. perle, LL. perla, perula, probably fr. (assumed) L. pirulo, dim. of L. pirum a pear. See {Pear}, and cf. {Purl} to mantle.] 1. (Zo[ o]l.) A shelly concretion, usually rounded, and having a brilliant luster, with… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

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