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mealybug Definition

mealy·bug (-bug′)

noun

any of a family (Pseudococcidae) of destructive homopteran insects, having a soft body protected by a white, flourlike or cottony wax secretion

mealybug Usage Examples

Adjective modifier

  • citrus: The most common species are the citrus mealybug, greenhouse mealybug and long tailed mealybug.

Modifies a noun

  • nymph: Also feed on whitefly eggs and scales, thrip larvae, moth eggs, young mealybug nymphs and other small insects.

Noun used with modifier

  • hibiscus: The success with control of the hibiscus mealybug has served to sensitize a wide spectrum of the public about biological control.
  • greenhouse: The most common species are the citrus mealybug, greenhouse mealybug and long tailed mealybug.