plant louse

American  

noun

1. aphid.

2. any of various related insects having similar habits.

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plant louse British  

noun

1. another name for an aphid

2. any small active cicada-like insect of the homopterous family Psyllidae (or Chermidae ), having hind legs adapted for leaping, and feeding on plant juices

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Etymology

Origin of plant louse

First recorded in 1795–1805

Example Sentences

The name is likely to be seen as an improvement on the psyllids’ more common name of jumping plant lice.

From The Guardian

“Man” is an Arabic term for “plant lice,” and varieties of sweet resins have been sold in Middle Eastern markets for centuries.

From Washington Post

In an experiment being conducted in South Wales, thousands of plant lice were released last summer, in the hopes that they would help destroy some of the knotweed along river banks.

From BBC

The researchers hypothesize that longer exposure to the Brazilian plant lice in the wild could put a much worse hurt on pepper trees.

From Washington Times

Greening first enters the tree via the jumping plant lice known as Asian citrus psyllid.

From Washington Times