'aphidicolous' originates from Neo-Latin/modern scientific formation combining 'aphid' (from New Latin/Greek) and the suffix '-colous' (from Latin 'colō'/'colere' meaning 'to inhabit, dwell').

'aphid' ultimately comes from Greek 'aphís' (ἄφις) > New Latin form 'Aphidoidea' and entered English as 'aphid'; the adjective was later formed by combining 'aphid' with the Latin-derived suffix '-colous' (meaning 'dwelling in/on') to create 'aphidicolous'.

Initially formed to mean 'dwelling on or among aphids' in scientific contexts, the meaning has remained essentially the same and is still used to describe organisms associated with aphids.