San Jose scale

[ sanhoh-zey skeyl ]

noun
  1. a scale insect, Aspidiotus perniciosus, that is highly destructive to fruit trees and shrubs throughout the U.S.

Origin of San Jose scale

1
1885–90, Americanism; named after San Jose, California, where first found

Words Nearby San Jose scale

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use San Jose scale in a sentence

  • Never allow new trees to be brought into your orchard until you feel certain that they are free from the San Jose scale.

    Agriculture for Beginners | Charles William Burkett

British Dictionary definitions for San Jose scale

San Jose scale

noun
  1. a small E Asian homopterous insect, Quadraspidiotus perniciosus, introduced into the US and other countries, where it has become a serious pest of fruit trees: family Diaspididae

Origin of San Jose scale

1
C20: from its first being seen in the United States at San Jose, California

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012