any homopterous insect of the genus Phylloxera, such as P. vitifolia (or Viteus vitifolii) (vine phylloxera), typically feeding on plant juices, esp of vines: family Phylloxeridae
Word origin
C19: from New Latin phyllo- + Greek xēros dry
phylloxera in American English
(fɪˈlɑksərə; ˌ fɪlɑkˈsɪrə)
nounWord forms: pluralˌphylˈloxeˌrae (fɪˈlɑksəˌri; also ˌ fɪlɑkˈsɪrˌi) or ˌphylˈloxeras
any of a family (Phylloxeridae) of homopteran insects that attack the leaves and roots of certain plants, including grapevines
Word origin
ModL < Gr phyllon, a leaf + xēros, dry: see bloom1 & serene