mealy bug: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Technical / Horticultural / Agricultural
Quick answer
What does “mealy bug” mean?
A small, soft-bodied insect pest, covered in a white, powdery or waxy secretion, that infests plants and feeds on their sap.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A small, soft-bodied insect pest, covered in a white, powdery or waxy secretion, that infests plants and feeds on their sap.
Any insect of the family Pseudococcidae, which are common agricultural and horticultural pests that can cause stunted growth, leaf yellowing, and honeydew secretion leading to sooty mould. The term can also be used metaphorically to describe a persistent, hard-to-eradicate nuisance.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning. Spelling is consistently two words. Pronunciation may show minor regional accent variations.
Connotations
Purely technical/negative pest connotation in both varieties.
Frequency
Equally low-frequency in general language but standard within gardening, agriculture, and pest control contexts in both regions.
Grammar
How to Use “mealy bug” in a Sentence
[plant] is infested with mealy bugs.To control/eradicate/treat [for] mealy bugs.A [severe] infestation of mealy bugs.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “mealy bug” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The vine mealy bug is a particular threat to UK glasshouses.
- We need to mealy-bug proof the new growth (rare, non-standard).
American English
- The citrus crop was heavily mealybugged (informal, non-standard).
- They're worried the shipment might mealy bug the entire nursery (informal).
adjective
British English
- A mealy bug infestation (compound adjective).
- The mealy-bug damage was extensive.
American English
- Mealy bug colonies were found on the stems.
- We spotted mealy-bug eggs on the underside.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
In the agricultural supply sector, discussing crop protection products effective against mealy bugs.
Academic
In entomology or plant pathology papers detailing the lifecycle, host plants, and management of Pseudococcidae.
Everyday
A gardener complaining about finding mealy bugs on their houseplants or in the greenhouse.
Technical
Precise identification guides, integrated pest management (IPM) protocols, or pesticide labels.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “mealy bug”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “mealy bug”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “mealy bug”
- Misspelling as one word: 'mealybug' (though this variant exists, two words is standard).
- Confusing it with 'aphid' or 'spider mite' (different pest families).
- Using it as a verb (e.g., 'The plant mealy-bugged').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Both forms are found, but 'mealy bug' (two words) is the more standard and common spelling in dictionaries and formal horticultural texts.
No, mealy bugs are plant pests only. They do not bite, sting, or transmit diseases to humans or animals.
Look for small, soft-bodied insects covered in a distinctive white, cottony or powdery wax, often clustered on stems, leaf joints, and the undersides of leaves.
Honeydew is the sticky, sugary waste substance excreted by mealy bugs (and other sap-sucking insects) as they feed. It often leads to the growth of a black sooty mould on the plant.
A small, soft-bodied insect pest, covered in a white, powdery or waxy secretion, that infests plants and feeds on their sap.
Mealy bug is usually technical / horticultural / agricultural in register.
Mealy bug: in British English it is pronounced /ˈmiːli bʌɡ/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈmiːli bʌɡ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Like a mealy bug on a rose (a persistent, damaging presence).”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of the insect as being covered in a messy, **mealy** (flour-like) powder, unlike a normal **bug**.
Conceptual Metaphor
A PARASITE / PLAGUE (for a persistent, draining problem).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the term 'mealy bug' MOST appropriately used?