/fil'euhk sear"euh, fi lok"seuhr euh/ , n. , pl. phylloxerae /fil'euhk sear"ee, fi lok"seuh ree'/ , phylloxeras .
any of several plant lice of the genus Phylloxera, esp. P. vitifoliae (grape phylloxera) , which attacks the leaves and roots of grapevines.
[ 1865-70; phyllo- PHYLLO- + xerá, fem. of xerós dry; so named in reference to the dessication of leaves caused by some species ]