noun
- Small insects of the family Adelgidae that feed on conifer trees, often causing damage to spruce, fir, and hemlock; also called woolly aphids.
Usage: plural form; entomology; also spelled adelges in some contexts
Examples
- Adelgids infest coniferous trees throughout North America and Europe.
- The adelgids produce a white, waxy coating that makes them easy to spot on branches.
- Foresters monitor adelgid populations to prevent widespread damage to hemlock forests.
- Some adelgids alternate between different host trees during their life cycle.
- Chemical treatments can control adelgid infestations on valuable ornamental conifers.