cottony-cushion scale

cottony-cushion scale
/kot"n ee koosh"euhn/
a scale insect, Icerya purchasi, native to Australia, now a common pest in the citrus-growing regions of California.
[1885-90]

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Scale insect (Icerya purchasi, order Homoptera) that is a pest especially of California citrus trees.

The adult lays bright red eggs in a distinctive large white mass that juts out from a twig. Distributed worldwide, cottony-cushion scale is found on many other plants, including acacia, pittosporum, and willow. Australian ladybird beetles (see ladybug), a natural enemy, have been imported to keep it from destroying the California citrus industry.

Cottony-cushion scales (Icerya purchasi, magnified)

Robert C. Hermes
The National Audubon Society Collection/Photo Researchers

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▪ insect
 (Icerya purchasi), a scale insect pest (order Homoptera), especially of California citrus trees. The adult lays bright red eggs in a distinctive large white mass that juts out from a twig. In summer the eggs hatch in a few days; in winter several months are required.

      The insect, worldwide in distribution, is found on many plants, including acacia, pittosporum, and willow. It is particularly destructive to citrus trees and once threatened the southern California citrus industry. Imported Australian ladybird beetles, a natural enemy, brought the scale under control in California in a short time.

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Universalium. 2010.

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  • cottony-cushion scale — ˈ ̷ ̷( ̷ ̷) ̷ ̷ˈ ̷ ̷ ̷ ̷ noun : a scale (Icerya purchasi) introduced into the United States from Australia that infests citrus and other plants see vedalia * * * /kot n ee koosh euhn/ a scale insect, Icerya purchasi, native to Australia, now a… …   Useful english dictionary

  • cottony-cushion scale — noun Date: 1886 a scale insect (Icerya purchasi) introduced into the United States from Australia that infests citrus and other plants …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • cottony-cushion scale — /ˌkɒtəni ˈkʊʃən ˌskeɪl/ (say .kotuhnee kooshuhn .skayl) noun a sap sucking scale insect which infests citrus plants …  

  • Scale insect — Temporal range: Lower Cretaceous–recent …   Wikipedia

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  • white scale — noun : any of various white or pale scales: as a. : an oleander scale (Aspidiotus hederae) b. : cottony cushion scale c. : rose scale …   Useful english dictionary

  • fluted scale — noun : cottony cushion scale …   Useful english dictionary

  • Icerya purchasi — Scientific classification Kingdom: Animalia Phylum …   Wikipedia

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