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
Common pests include mealybugs, spider mites, and aphids.
—
Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 14 Dec. 2025
As of now, there are no insecticides labeled for the control of the pest in the U.S.
Anyone who believes they are affected and notices symptoms or insect clusters resembling mealybugs is being asked to contact the Texas Department of Agriculture at 1-800-TELL-TDA.
—Christina Shaw, FOXNews.com, 12 Dec. 2025
Miller suggests being on the lookout for mealybugs on grass leaves, stems, soil and under cow droppings, with a focus on unmanaged areas like fence lines or ungrazed patches.
—Julia Falcon, CBS News, 11 Dec. 2025
However, mealybugs or gnats could also cause a problem.
—Lynn Coulter, Better Homes & Gardens, 7 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for mealybug
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Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 14 Dec. 2025
As of now, there are no insecticides labeled for the control of the pest in the U.S.
Anyone who believes they are affected and notices symptoms or insect clusters resembling mealybugs is being asked to contact the Texas Department of Agriculture at 1-800-TELL-TDA.
—Christina Shaw, FOXNews.com, 12 Dec. 2025
Miller suggests being on the lookout for mealybugs on grass leaves, stems, soil and under cow droppings, with a focus on unmanaged areas like fence lines or ungrazed patches.
—Julia Falcon, CBS News, 11 Dec. 2025
However, mealybugs or gnats could also cause a problem.
—Lynn Coulter, Better Homes & Gardens, 7 Dec. 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 14 Jan. 2026.
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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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