Aphicide

/ˈæfɪsaɪd/ noun

Definition

A pesticide or chemical substance designed to kill aphids, small insects that feed on plant sap and damage crops.

Etymology

From 'aphid' (the insect) plus '-cide' (killing agent, from Latin 'caedere' meaning to cut or kill). Modern coinage from 20th-century agricultural chemistry.

Kelly Says

Ladybugs eat aphids for breakfast—one ladybug can consume 50-60 aphids per day, which is why farmers now use them instead of toxic aphicides in organic farming!

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