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cocciniglia

cochineal

noun koh-cheen-NEE-lyah Rare
Animals & Nature Insects

Origin: Spanish cochinilla, from Latin coccinus (scarlet)

Also means

scale insect

Usage Note

Cocciniglia refers both to the scale insect Dactylopius coccus — used for centuries to produce a red dye — and more broadly to other scale insects that are garden pests. The red dye rosso cocciniglia (carmine, E120) is still used as a food colouring. Gardeners encounter cocciniglia as a pest on citrus and ornamental plants.

Examples

"La cocciniglia infesta spesso le piante di agrumi."

Natural Translation

The scale insect often infests citrus plants.

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