mealybug
noun
mealy·bug
ˈmē-lē-ˌbəg 
: any of a family (Pseudococcidae) of scale insects that have a white cottony or waxy covering and are destructive pests especially of fruit trees
Examples of mealybug in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Female mealybugs lay their eggs in fluffy white excretions affixed to the plant.
—
Tim Johnson, Chicago Tribune, 27 July 2025
Outdoors, mealybugs have natural predators to keep their numbers in check.
—Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 31 July 2025
My coleus leaves and stems are starting to be infested with mealybugs.
—Tom MacCubbin, The Orlando Sentinel, 2 Aug. 2025
Choose one that’s labeled for mealybugs and for houseplants.
—Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 31 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for mealybug
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Tim Johnson, Chicago Tribune, 27 July 2025
Outdoors, mealybugs have natural predators to keep their numbers in check.
—Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 31 July 2025
My coleus leaves and stems are starting to be infested with mealybugs.
—Tom MacCubbin, The Orlando Sentinel, 2 Aug. 2025
Choose one that’s labeled for mealybugs and for houseplants.
—Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 31 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for mealybug
Cite this Entry
“Mealybug.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mealybug. Accessed 2 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
mealybug
noun
mealy·bug
ˈmē-lē-ˌbəg
: any of numerous scale insects that have a white cottony or waxy covering and are destructive pests especially of fruit trees
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