mealybug

American  

[mee-lee-buhg] / ˈmi liˌbʌg /

noun

1. any of several scalelike, homopterous insects of the families Pseudococcidae and Eriococcidae that are covered with a powdery wax secretion and feed on plants.

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Etymology

Origin of mealybug

First recorded in 1815–25; mealy + bug ¹

Example Sentences

It has set its sights on a bizarre-looking insect larva known as the mealybug ladybird, which sports a coat of white, waxy filaments that resembles fleece.

From Science Magazine • Mar. 15, 2024

Healthy peonies can handle light mealybug activity, but if feeding is heavy, a forceful stream of water or application of an insecticidal soap or narrow-range oil may be warranted.

From Seattle Times • Dec. 14, 2022

He said his operation uses chlorpyrifos on rare occasions, such as during an outbreak of the vine mealybug on grape crops.

From Washington Post • Jul. 18, 2019

Scientists found a tiny wasp that very specifically targeted the bugs that were eating the cassava, and today crop damage from the so-called cassava mealybug has declined by 90 percent.

From Slate • Aug. 4, 2016

Tremblaya transforms the sap into vitamins and amino acids, which the mealybug can then use to build proteins.

From New York Times • Jul. 4, 2013