Definition

A type of small insect that has a white, cottony or waxy covering and can harm plants, especially fruit trees and citrus trees.

Example

The gardener found mealybugs on the leaves of the orange tree, which were damaging the plant.

Conversation

Have you ever dealt with a mealybug infestation in your garden?

Yes, I had a big problem with them last summer.

What did you do to get rid of the mealybug?

I used a mix of soap and water, and it worked pretty well!

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

The word 'mealybug' is formed from 'mealy' (from Old English 'melige', meaning resembling meal or flour) and 'bug' (from Middle English 'bugge', meaning a bug or insect). The term 'mealybug' refers to an insect that has a powdery or mealy appearance, resembling flour.

Memory Tip

Think of something that looks 'mealy' or like 'flour' — that's why a mealybug is an insect that appears powdery.

Visually Confused Words