woolly adelgid

noun woolly adel·gid \-ə-ˈdel-jəd\

Definition of WOOLLY ADELGID

: 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

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

First Known Use: 1987

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