beet armyworm

[beet ahr-mee-wurm]

noun

1. the larva of the noctuid moth Spodoptera exigua, a voracious pest of a wide range of vegetation, including such commercial crops as beets, asparagus, corn, cotton, peas, and peppers.

Word History and Origins

Origin of beet armyworm¹

First recorded in 1900–05

Example Sentences

To find out how the PKFs were killing the parasites, scientists exposed braconid wasp larva to beet armyworm and infected northern armyworm plasma.

Read more on Science Magazine

This chemical allowed the plant to change its chemistry, which made it less appetizing to the beet armyworm caterpillars that were placed on a treated plant.

Read more on National Geographic

Low rainfall amounts and low seed germination have pushed bugs, like the voracious beet armyworm, from the California hillsides into agricultural fields.

Read more on The Verge