non-living shield used to cover the body in sessile instars of the Diaspididae. The scale cover is mainly produced and shaped by the pygidium; it consists of the dorsal exuviae of previous instars and filamentous secretions of the dorsal ducts, glued together with excretory material from the anus. The main protective cover is formed over the dorsum of the insect; the thickness of the ventral scale varies according to the species, from negligible to substantial

Alternative form for scale cover : scale covers.