Either of two scale insects of the family Diaspididae which infest orange trees: (more fully "California red scale") Aonidiella aurantii, and (more fully "Florida red scale") Chrysomphalus aonidum.
Origin
Late 19th century.
Definition of red scale in US English:
red scale
noun
Either of two scale insects of the family Diaspididae which infest orange trees: (more fully "California red scale") Aonidiella aurantii, and (more fully "Florida red scale") Chrysomphalus aonidum.