leaf bug
1
6.7
- noun
- /liːf bʌg/
:
chinche de las hojas
- The leaf bug is known for its striking colors, which help it blend in with plants.
Examples
-
I spotted a leaf bug resting on a bright green leaf in the garden.
-
This is one of the jungle's most amazing creatures-- the leaf bug.
-
There are obviously no leaf bugs in this area.
-
During our hike, we saw a leaf bug feeding on the sap of a nearby tree.
Synonyms
623
1.0
A small insect like an ant or beetle
A small bright insect that feeds on the juice inside plants
A small insect that feeds on plants, usually on leaves
A small bug that lives on plants and often eats their leaves
Surface Forms
Morphology
The meaning 'a small insect associated with leaves that feeds on plant juices' is directly and transparently built from 'leaf' (a plant leaf) + 'bug' (a small insect); the modifier specifies the insect's typical habitat/association. This noun+noun compositional pattern is common and predictable cross-linguistically, so a B1 learner who knows both words will readily infer the meaning.
Etymology
Leaf bug gets its name from the way the insect looks: many species have the color and shape of a leaf, so the little bug can 'hide' among plants. That's why the name today means a small insect that eats plant juices.