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lerp

lerp

9.9
A small sweet crust made by tiny insects on leaves that birds eat
  • noun
  • /lɜrp/
  • Australian
translation icon : lerp
  • During the dry season, parrots rely on lerp as an important food source.

Examples

  • The birds pecked at the lerp on the eucalyptus leaves for a sweet treat.

  • Scientists studied the formation of lerp to understand how psyllid insects protect themselves.

  • The lerp on the eucalyptus leaves was surprisingly sweet.

  • Many insects produce lerps to protect themselves.

  • The lerp found on eucalyptus leaves is a sweet, crusty layer that protects the sap-sucking psyllid underneath.

  • Many insects rely on lerp as a food source, especially in regions where eucalyptus trees thrive.

  • The lerp serves not only as a protective covering for psyllids but also attracts various ants looking for a sugary treat.

Surface Forms

lerp singular
lerps plural

Etymology

Lerp comes from an Australian Aboriginal word for the small, sugary crust that tiny insects make on eucalyptus leaves. Birds peck at this 'sugar shell', which is why lerp means that sweet protective cover.