woolly adelgid

noun

woolly adel·​gid -ə-ˈdel-jəd How to pronounce woolly adelgid (audio)
: either of two aphids (genus Adelges) with a white woolly coating that have been accidentally introduced into North America:
a
: one (A. piceae) native to Europe that is a serious pest of fir trees
b
: one (A. tsugae) native to Asia that is a serious pest of hemlocks

Examples of woolly adelgid in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Hemlock woolly adelgid, a small, aphid-like insect that has devastated hemlock forests in Eastern states from Maine to Georgia, was discovered in small populations along the Lake Michigan shoreline in western Michigan around 2016. Keith Matheny, Detroit Free Press, 6 Mar. 2024 Hemlock woolly adelgid threatens ecologically important hemlock trees Another invasive insect likely on its way to Wisconsin is the hemlock woolly adelgid. Claire Reid, Journal Sentinel, 2 Aug. 2023 Native to Asia, hemlock woolly adelgid found its way to Virginia in the 1950s and was identified in western Michigan by the 2000s. Claire Reid, Journal Sentinel, 2 Aug. 2023 The beetle laid its eggs in the woolly adelgid ovisacs, and when those eggs hatched, the larvae ate the woolly adelgid eggs. Zoya Teirstein, Wired, 14 Aug. 2021 Scientist said that pests and invasive plants, like the emerald ash borer and hemlock woolly adelgid, contributed to forest loss in the regions as well. Gina Martinez, CBS News, 6 Apr. 2023 And hemlocks are succumbing to the woolly adelgid. Zoya Teirstein, Wired, 14 Aug. 2021 Eastern hemlocks are plagued by woolly adelgid aphids. Lindsey Botts, The Arizona Republic, 23 Jan. 2022 The iconic hemlock is dying off, under siege from the invasive woolly adelgid bug that slowly sucks the life out of the giant trees. From Usa Today Network and Wire Reports, USA TODAY, 18 Aug. 2021

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'woolly adelgid.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

adelgid ultimately from New Latin Adelges, probably irregular from Greek adēlos unseen

First Known Use

1987, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of woolly adelgid was in 1987

Dictionary Entries Near woolly adelgid

Cite this Entry

“Woolly adelgid.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/woolly%20adelgid. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

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