phylloxera

noun

phyl·​lox·​e·​ra ˌfi-ˌläk-ˈsir-ə How to pronounce phylloxera (audio) fə-ˈläk-sə-rə How to pronounce phylloxera (audio)
: any of several plant lice (family Phylloxeridae)
especially : one (Daktulosphaira vitifoliae synonym Viteus vitifoliae) originally of North America but introduced into Europe and elsewhere that produces galls on the leaves and roots of grape vines and is a serious pest especially of vinifera grapes in wine-producing regions

Examples of phylloxera in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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The reason there is a difference between their number of vine and rootstock varieties is due to the subterranean phylloxera louse that wiped out huge swaths of the world’s grape vines during the mid 19th century. Tom Mullen, Forbes.com, 23 June 2025 Unfortunately, the château and vineyards were decimated by phylloxera and continued to languish during World War I and World War II. Mike Desimone, Robb Report, 8 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for phylloxera

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from phyll- + Greek xēros dry

First Known Use

1880, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of phylloxera was in 1880

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Cite this Entry

“Phylloxera.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/phylloxera. Accessed 11 Sep. 2025.

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