diaspidid

plural diaspidids

1. biologyAny of the armoured scale insects of the family Diaspididae.

   At least 26 species of diaspidids attack mangoes worldwide (Chua and Wood, 1990).

   2009, J. E. Peña, M. Aluja, M. Wysoki, “10: Pests”, in Richard E. Litz, editor, The Mango: Botany, Production and Uses, page 342

   2 more examples

   The main enemies of diaspidids, however, are hymenopterous parasites which, although capable of locating potential host within the fungal thallus, can reach the insect within the chambers only rarely.

   1989, H. C. Evans, “9: Mycopathogens of Insects of Epideal and Aerial Habitats”, in N. Wilding, N. M. Collins, P. M. Hammond, J. F. Webber, editors, Insect-Fungus Interactions, page 226

   The first-stage larvae of C. coperniciae are similar to diaspidid crawlers. Second-instar larvae are heavily sclerotized, with distinct truncate abdomens, and, unlike second-instar diaspidids, have functional legs.

   2001, F. W. Howard, Insects on Palms, page 223