Ground pearls

Pronunciation
/GROUND PEARLS/
Category
Taxonomy
Singular
Ground pearl
Plural
Ground pearls

Definition

Common name for various species of scale insects (Margarodidae) that spend most of their life in the soil, feeding on roots.

Etymology

From the appearance of the pearl-like waxy covering of the insect.

Example

Ground pearls are a common pest of turfgrass.

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