Hessian fly

noun

: a small European dipteran fly (Mayetiola destructor) introduced into North America that is destructive to wheat

Examples of Hessian fly in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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In 2015, Roger Koller, a third-generation farmer, lost a third of his spring wheat to the Hessian fly. Helen Sullivan, The New Yorker, 19 Oct. 2021

Word History

First Known Use

1786, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of Hessian fly was in 1786

Dictionary Entries Near Hessian fly

Cite this Entry

“Hessian fly.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Hessian%20fly. Accessed 23 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

Hessian fly

noun
: a small two-winged fly destructive to wheat in North America

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