Cankerworm

Cankerworm
Cankerworm Can"ker*worm`, n. (Zo["o]l.) The larva of two species of geometrid moths which are very injurious to fruit and shade trees by eating, and often entirely destroying, the foliage. Other similar larv[ae] are also called cankerworms. [1913 Webster]

Note: The autumnal species ({Anisopteryx pometaria}) becomes adult late in autumn (after frosts) and in winter. The spring species ({Anisopteryx vernata}) remains in the ground through the winter, and matures in early spring. Both have winged males and wingless females. The larv[ae] are similar in appearance and habits, and belong to the family of measuring worms or spanworms. These larv[ae] hatch from the eggs when the leaves begin to expand in spring. [1913 Webster]


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.

Игры ⚽ Поможем написать реферат

Look at other dictionaries:

  • cankerworm — ☆ cankerworm [kaŋ′kərwʉrm΄] n. any of several larvae of geometrid moths that are harmful to fruit and shade trees, esp. the spring cankerworm (Paleacrita vernata) that feeds on fruit and foliage …   English World dictionary

  • cankerworm — /kang keuhr werrm /, n. the striped, green caterpillar of any of several geometrid moths: a foliage pest of various fruit and shade trees, as Paleacrita vernata (spring cankerworm) and Alsophila pometaria (fall cankerworm). See illus. under… …   Universalium

  • cankerworm — noun green caterpillar of a geometrid moth; pest of various fruit and shade trees • Hypernyms: ↑caterpillar • Hyponyms: ↑spring cankerworm, ↑fall cankerworm • Member Holonyms: ↑Geometridae, ↑family Geometridae …   Useful english dictionary

  • cankerworm — Dropworm Drop worm (dr[o^]p w[^u]rm ), n. (Zo[ o]l.) The larva of any geometrid moth, which drops from trees by means of a thread of silk, as the {cankerworm} or {inchworm}. See {inchworm} and {geometrid}. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • cankerworm — Caterpillar Cat er*pil lar, n. [OE. catyrpel, corrupted fr. OF. chatepelouse, or cate pelue, fr. chate, F. chatte, she cat, fem. of chat, L. catus + L. pilosus hairy, or F. pelu hairy, fr. L. pilus hair. See {Cat}, and {Pile} hair.] 1. (Zo[ o]l.) …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Cankerworm —    (Heb. yelek), the licking locust, which licks up the grass of the field; probably the locust at a certain stage of its growth, just as it emerges from the caterpillar state (Joel 1:4; 2:25). The word is rendered caterpillar in Ps. 105:34; Jer …   Easton's Bible Dictionary

  • cankerworm — noun Date: 1530 either of two geometrid moths (Alsophila pometaria and Paleacrita vernata) and especially their larvae which are serious pests of fruit and shade trees …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • cankerworm — noun Either of two caterpillars, the larvae of geometrid moths, that are destructive to fruit, buds and leaves …   Wiktionary

  • cankerworm — n. type of caterpillar; trouble, adversity …   English contemporary dictionary

  • cankerworm — noun the caterpillar of a North American moth that feeds on the buds and leaves of trees …   English new terms dictionary

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
… Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”