: any of numerous very small soft-bodied homopterous insects (superfamily Aphidoidea) that suck the juices of plants
Examples of aphid in a Sentence
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Ladybugs serve as natural pest control, preying on aphids and other insects that damage vegetables and flowers.
—
Patricia S York, Southern Living, 25 Sep. 2025
Although mites are arachnids, the most common garden insect pests, namely aphids, scales, mealybugs, and whiteflies, all suck from plant foliage with stylets.
—Joshua Siskin, Oc Register, 20 Sep. 2025
Endophytes can be unpredictable; for example, increasing rather than decreasing aphid infestation of beans and wheat, as noted in research from Denmark, or switching from beneficial to parasitic depending on water availability, as Hawkes witnessed.
—Anna Marija Helt, JSTOR Daily, 17 Sep. 2025
In fall, numbers of aphids, spider mites, wasps, Asian lady beetles, and ants may increase.
—Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 17 Sep. 2025
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Patricia S York, Southern Living, 25 Sep. 2025
Although mites are arachnids, the most common garden insect pests, namely aphids, scales, mealybugs, and whiteflies, all suck from plant foliage with stylets.
—Joshua Siskin, Oc Register, 20 Sep. 2025
Endophytes can be unpredictable; for example, increasing rather than decreasing aphid infestation of beans and wheat, as noted in research from Denmark, or switching from beneficial to parasitic depending on water availability, as Hawkes witnessed.
—Anna Marija Helt, JSTOR Daily, 17 Sep. 2025
In fall, numbers of aphids, spider mites, wasps, Asian lady beetles, and ants may increase.
—Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 17 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for aphid
Cite this Entry
“Aphid.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/aphid. Accessed 29 Sep. 2025.
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aphid
noun
ˈā-fəd 
also ˈaf-əd
: any of numerous small soft-bodied insects that suck the juices of plants
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