cabbageworm

[kab-ij-wurm]

noun

1. a caterpillar, especially of the genus Pieris, that feeds on cabbages. cabbage.

cabbageworm

/ ˈkæbɪdʒˌwɜːm /

noun

1. any caterpillar that feeds on cabbages, esp that of the cabbage white

Word History and Origins

Origin of cabbageworm¹

First recorded in 1680–90; cabbage ¹ + worm

Example Sentences

Garden pests are often highly specialized and named after their favorite food: cabbageworm, corn earworm, tomato hornworm, Colorado potato beetle, cucumber beetle, pea weevil, pepper maggot, Mexican bean beetle, and so on.

Read more on Salon

Thorough cleanup, pulling plants and removing them to a distance can reduce overwintering opportunities for common opponents — that includes squash bugs; Brassica pests, such as various cabbageworm species; and cucumber and bean beetles.

Read more on New York Times