armyworm
the larva of the noctuid moth Pseudaletia unipuncta, which advances over a region in massive numbers, suggestive of an army, destroying crops of grain and vegetables.
any moth larva that is similar to the noctuid Pseudaletia unipuncta in its habit of advancing over a region in massive numbers, suggestive of an army, destroying agricultural crops.
Origin of armyworm
1Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use armyworm in a sentence
The larva of Sciăra militaris, a European two-winged fly, is also called army worm.
Then possibly the army-worm comes sure enough, and cripples him.
His enemies are drought, excessive rains, the ball-worm, and the army-worm; his best friend a long picking season.
Pictures of Southern Life | William Howard RussellHis enemies are drought, excessive rains, the ball worm, and the army worm; his best friend a long picking season.
The Civil War in America | William Howard RussellWhen the planter sees the army-worm in his fields, he is ready to give up his crop in despair.
British Dictionary definitions for army worm
the caterpillar of a widely distributed noctuid moth, Leucania unipuncta, which travels in vast hordes and is a serious pest of cereal crops in North America
any of various similar caterpillars
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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