spotted alfalfa aphid

noun

1. a pale yellowish aphid, Therioaphis maculata, of the southern U.S., especially west of the Mississippi River, that is marked with black spots and has fine spines on its back: a pest mainly of alfalfa and some other legumes, as clover.

Word History and Origins

Origin of spotted alfalfa aphid¹

First recorded in 1955–60

Example Sentences

Several natural enemies of the spotted alfalfa aphid, an accidental import from the Middle East, are credited with saving the California alfalfa industry.

From Literature

The spotted alfalfa aphid was brought under control by the late 1950s with the help of three Mediterranean parasites, and a total of 42 other species of insects, including the face fly that torments cattle, have since succumbed to parasites of various types.

From Time Magazine Archive