whitefly

noun

white·​fly ˈ(h)wīt-ˌflī How to pronounce whitefly (audio)
: any of numerous small homopterous insects (family Aleyrodidae) that are injurious plant pests

Examples of whitefly in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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Alternative prey include whiteflies, beetle and moth larvae, and even fungi and other types of plant matter. Katie Liu, Discover Magazine, 7 Oct. 2024 Try planting marigolds, which have a potent scent that repels nematodes, aphids and whiteflies. Katherine McLaughlin, Architectural Digest, 7 Aug. 2024 Controls Start with a good blast from the hose to get rid of whiteflies. Andy Wilcox, Better Homes & Gardens, 3 Aug. 2024 Plant diseases are often spread by infected soil and transplants, but they can also be transmitted by plant pests like whiteflies. Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 20 July 2024 See all Example Sentences for whitefly 

Word History

First Known Use

1896, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of whitefly was in 1896

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Cite this Entry

“Whitefly.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/whitefly. Accessed 24 Nov. 2024.

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