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 aphid, or plant louse, a squashy insect usually about the size of a pinhead, is not rated as a big-league pest in the U.S.

From Time Magazine Archive

When the tree is attacked by a species of plant louse, the substance oozes out, crystallizes and drops to the ground, where the Isiaelites found it.

From Time Magazine Archive

The tax hike comes at a time when many growers are also worried about phylloxera, a mite-size plant louse that is gnawing away at vines, primarily in Napa and Sonoma counties.

From Time Magazine Archive

Piercing at last the recesses of Asia, the triumphant plant louse blighted even the vineyards of His Highness the Maharaja of Jammu and Kashmir.

From Time Magazine Archive

A little downy species of the aphis, or plant louse, had completely overrun a Stump apple tree and really caused it to die.

From Northern Nut Growers Association Report of the Proceedings at the 13th Annual Meeting Rochester, N.Y. September, 7, 8 and 9, 1922 by Northern Nut Growers Association