phylloxera
noun
phyl·lox·e·ra
ˌfi-ˌläk-ˈsir-ə 
fə-ˈläk-sə-rə
fə-ˈläk-sə-rə
: 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
Grape phylloxera, or Daktulosphaira vitifoliae, is an aphidlike insect that attacks grapevines with devastating effects.
—
Charlotte Oliver, The Conversation, 24 Sep. 2025
Priorat, named one of Travel + Leisure's best places to travel in 2025, was a thriving wine region until the late 19th century, when phylloxera wiped out the vines, forcing communities to leave.
—Lauren David, Travel + Leisure, 16 Sep. 2025
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
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Charlotte Oliver, The Conversation, 24 Sep. 2025
Priorat, named one of Travel + Leisure's best places to travel in 2025, was a thriving wine region until the late 19th century, when phylloxera wiped out the vines, forcing communities to leave.
—Lauren David, Travel + Leisure, 16 Sep. 2025
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
Cite this Entry
“Phylloxera.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/phylloxera. Accessed 31 Oct. 2025.
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