: any of a large family (Eriophyidae) of minute plant-feeding wormlike mites that have two pairs of legs and include gall mites and rust mites
eriophyid adjective

Examples of eriophyid in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The bushes are constantly checked for rosette disease, a lethal virus transmitted by eriophyid mites; and last February, Winter Storm Uri, a blizzard that affected large swaths of the Southwest, wiped out a number of the roses. New York Times, 2 Nov. 2021 The rose rosette virus is transmitted by an eriophyid mite and through grafts. oregonlive, 2 May 2021 Be sure to use a miticide that will control eriophyid mites. Tim Johnson, chicagotribune.com, 6 Sep. 2020

Word History

Etymology

ultimately from Greek erion wool + phyē growth; akin to Greek physis growth — more at physics

First Known Use

1942, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of eriophyid was in 1942

Dictionary Entries Near eriophyid

Cite this Entry

“Eriophyid.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/eriophyid. Accessed 20 Dec. 2024.

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