mealybug

[ mee-lee-buhg ]
/ ˈmi liˌbʌg /

noun

any of several scalelike, homopterous insects of the families Pseudococcidae and Eriococcidae that are covered with a powdery wax secretion and feed on plants.

Origin of mealybug

First recorded in 1815–25; mealy + bug1

British Dictionary definitions for mealy bug

mealy bug

noun

any plant-eating homopterous insect of the genus Pseudococcus and related genera, coated with a powdery waxy secretion: some species are pests of citrus fruits and greenhouse plants: family Pseudococcidae