Mealybug - Meaning, Definition & English Examples
A mealybug is a small, soft-bodied insect that feeds on plant sap, often covered in a white, powdery wax. It is a common pest in gardens and greenhouses, damaging crops and ornamental plants.
Definition:
A small, sap-sucking insect covered with a powdery wax secretion, often a pest on plants.
Synonyms:
scale insect, plant louse, aphid
Part of Speech:
noun
Antonyms:
predator, beneficial insect
Common Collocations:
infested plants, citrus mealybug, cotton mealybug
Derivatives:
mealybugs, mealybug-infested
Usage Tips:
Use "mealybug" to describe the pest; specify the plant affected for clarity (e.g., "The rose has mealybugs").
Common Phrases:
mealybug infestation, fight mealybugs, mealybug damage
Etymology:
From "mealy" (resembling flour) + "bug," referring to the insect's powdery appearance.
Examples:
- 1. The mealybug is damaging my houseplants.
- 2. She sprayed soapy water to kill the mealybugs on her orchids.
- 3. Mealybugs often hide under leaves and stems.
- 4. The gardener found a severe mealybug infestation on the tomato plants.