sooty mold
noun
: a dark growth of fungus mycelium growing in insect honeydew on plants
also
: any of various ascomycetous fungi (order Dothideales) producing such growth
Examples of sooty mold in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Finally, like mealy bugs, the honeydew secreted by aphids can encourage the growth of sooty mold and fungus.
—
Jon Vanzile, The Spruce, 30 Jan. 2026
Generally, fungicides won’t effectively get rid of sooty mold, but sometimes horticultural oil sprays used to treat overwintering scale or crawlers can help to speed up its removal.
—Miri Talabac, Baltimore Sun, 23 Jan. 2026
These pests can drain the tree's strength and cause sooty mold.
—Sj McShane, Martha Stewart, 16 Jan. 2026
The sticky honeydew secretions can attract ants and wasps, as well as lead to sooty mold.
—Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 2 Oct. 2025
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Jon Vanzile, The Spruce, 30 Jan. 2026
Generally, fungicides won’t effectively get rid of sooty mold, but sometimes horticultural oil sprays used to treat overwintering scale or crawlers can help to speed up its removal.
—Miri Talabac, Baltimore Sun, 23 Jan. 2026
These pests can drain the tree's strength and cause sooty mold.
—Sj McShane, Martha Stewart, 16 Jan. 2026
The sticky honeydew secretions can attract ants and wasps, as well as lead to sooty mold.
—Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 2 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for sooty mold
Cite this Entry
“Sooty mold.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sooty%20mold. Accessed 18 Feb. 2026.
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