Purple scale
- Pronunciation
- /PUR-pul SCALE/
- Category
- Taxonomy
- Singular
- Purple scale
- Plural
- Purple scales
Definition
A type of armored scale insect, Lepidosaphes beckii (Newman), that was common and damaging in Florida before the introduction of a parasitoid (Aphytis lepidosaphes Compere).
Etymology
From the color of its cover, which is purplish-brown.
Example
Purple scales were the most common armored scale in Florida before the introduction of a parasitoid.