Vedalia (Noun)
Meaning
Native to Australia; introduced elsewhere to control scale insects.
Classification
Nouns denoting animals.
Examples
- The vedalia beetle, native to Australia, was introduced to California in the late 19th century to control the cottony cushion scale.
- The vedalia, a natural predator of the cottony cushion scale, was introduced to New Zealand in the early 20th century to protect the country's citrus industry.
- The introduction of the vedalia beetle to California in 1888 marked a significant turning point in the control of the cottony cushion scale in the state's citrus groves.
- The vedalia is a highly specialized predator that feeds exclusively on the cottony cushion scale, making it an effective biological control agent.
- In its native Australia, the vedalia beetle is an important natural predator of the cottony cushion scale, helping to keep populations of the pest under control.