sooty mold
noun
: a dark growth of fungus mycelium growing in insect honeydew on plants
also
: any of various ascomycetous fungi (order Dothideales) producing such growth
Examples of sooty mold in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Aphids excrete the sap as honeydew, leaving leaves sticky and susceptible to sooty mold.
—
Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 22 Apr. 2026
In contrast, aphids produce a sticky residue called honeydew that coats foliage and can later develop into a black coating known as sooty mold.
—Anthony Reardon, Kansas City Star, 20 Apr. 2026
Leaves covered in powdery black sooty mold are your first clue to these pests.
—Nan Sterman, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Mar. 2026
Finally, like mealy bugs, the honeydew secreted by aphids can encourage the growth of sooty mold and fungus.
—Jon Vanzile, The Spruce, 30 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for sooty mold
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 22 Apr. 2026
In contrast, aphids produce a sticky residue called honeydew that coats foliage and can later develop into a black coating known as sooty mold.
—Anthony Reardon, Kansas City Star, 20 Apr. 2026
Leaves covered in powdery black sooty mold are your first clue to these pests.
—Nan Sterman, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Mar. 2026
Finally, like mealy bugs, the honeydew secreted by aphids can encourage the growth of sooty mold and fungus.
—Jon Vanzile, The Spruce, 30 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for sooty mold
Cite this Entry
“Sooty mold.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sooty%20mold. Accessed 3 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
