Phylloxera
/ˌfɪləkˈsɪərə/noun
A tiny sap-sucking insect that devastated grapevines in the 19th century.
Did you know?Phylloxera’s name was coined in modern scientific Latin from Greek elements meaning “leaf” and “dry,” a fittingly eerie label for the insect that literally withered Europe’s vineyards.
Etymological Timeline
Modern scientific Latin (19th century)
Lat
phylloxera
“A name coined for a grapevine pest, formed from Greek roots referring to leaves and dryness”
Ancient Greek
Gk
phyllon
“Leaf”
Ancient Greek
Gk
xēros
“Dry, parched”
19th Century
English
phylloxera
“The grapevine louse and the devastation it caused in vineyards”
Modern English
English
phylloxera
“A plant louse, especially the grape phylloxera”
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