plant louse

noun

1. aphid.
2. any of various related insects having similar habits.

plant louse

noun

1. another name for an aphid
2. jumping plant louse
   any small active cicada-like insect of the homopterous family Psyllidae (or Chermidae ), having hind legs adapted for leaping, and feeding on plant juices

Word History and Origins

Origin of plant louse¹

First recorded in 1795–1805

Example Sentences

On the 4th of August, about one o'clock in the afternoon, I put into solitary confinement a plant-louse of the third generation.

From Project Gutenberg

The Red Ant (Formica rufa) is singularly adroit in seizing the droplet left it by the plant-louse.

From Project Gutenberg

On one of these leaves he placed a plant-louse, which was born under his own eyes, of a wingless mother.

From Project Gutenberg

When they have got possession of a plant-louse, they excite it to secrete this liquid, but without doing it any harm.

From Project Gutenberg

Sometimes house plants, and out-door plants as well, become covered with a small, green insect called the plant louse or aphis.

From Project Gutenberg