woolly a·del·gid  (ə-děl'jĭd)  n. Any of various aphidlike insects of the family Adelgidae that secrete a waxy or woolly covering and are destructive to conifers, especially hemlocks, spruces, and firs. [From New Latin Adelgidae, family name, from Adelgēs, type genus : perhaps Greek adēlos, hidden (a-, not; see a-1 + dēlos, clear, visible; see dyeu- in Indo-European roots) + -gēs, of unknown origin.] |
| woolly adelgid | |
noun | |
| an insect that feeds on hemlocks; its egg sacs are small fuzzy white balls like artificial snow on a Christmas tree |