soft scale

[/sɔft skeɪl/]
nounpl: soft scales
cochonilha-mole
1. A small parasitic insect of the family Coccidae that feeds on plant sap; characterized by a soft, waxy, or powdery body covering without a hard shell
The soft scale infested the houseplant, causing yellowing leaves.
A cochonilha-mole infestou a planta de interior, causando amarelecimento das folhas.
2. In entomology, any scale insect that lacks the hard protective covering of armored scales, including mealybugs and wax scales
Soft scales are more vulnerable to pesticides than armored scales.
As cochonilhas-moles são mais vulneráveis a pesticidas do que as cochonilhas-blindadas.
Soft scales are economically significant pests in both Brazil and the USA, particularly affecting citrus crops, coffee plantations, and ornamental plants. In Brazilian agriculture, controlling cochonilhas-moles is a major concern for fruit and vegetable producers. The term is primarily used in technical, agricultural, and horticultural contexts rather than in everyday conversation.
Synonyms / Sinônimos
mealybugwax scaleunarmored scalesoft-bodied scale insect
Antonyms / Antônimos
armored scalehard scaleshield scale

Regional Variations

General Brazilian
cochonilha-mole
most common term used in agricultural contexts
São Paulo
cochonilha-mole; escama-mole
both terms used interchangeably in agribusiness
Portugal
cochonilha-mole; escama-mole
less frequently discussed; European scale species differ slightly
USA/Agricultural
soft scale
standard technical term in pest management and horticulture

Related Words

scale insectCoccidaeparasitic insectplant pestentomologyphytophagous

Related Idioms & Phrases

a soft scale infestation
to treat soft scales
soft scale management
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