armyworm

American  

[ahr-mee-wurm] / ˈɑr miˌwɜrm /

noun

1. 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.

2. 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.

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Etymology

Origin of armyworm

An Americanism first recorded in 1735–45; army + worm

Example Sentences

Remarkably, these fern proteins still affected fall armyworm that were resistant to conventional Bt proteins.

From Science Daily • Oct. 23, 2023

The glass containers, shaking back and forth inside two incubators, are teeming with cells from a pest known as the fall armyworm moth.

From Washington Post • Jun. 5, 2022

It uses the same technology in myriad other invasive pests, including the fall armyworm and the soybean looper, which it hopes to sell in the U.S. and around the world.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 8, 2022

Landschoot said more mature lawns can often recover from an armyworm attack.

From Seattle Times • Sep. 17, 2021

Damage from the pests first appears like drought stress as the armyworm larvae strip tissue from turfgrass leaves.

From Fox News • Sep. 9, 2021