cankerworm

[kang-ker-wurm]

noun

1. an inchworm, the larva of either of two geometrid moths, Paleacrita vernata spring cankerworm and Alsophila pometaria fall cankerworm: a foliage pest of various fruit and shade trees.

cankerworm

/ ˈkæŋkəˌwɜːm /

noun

1. the larva of either of two geometrid moths, Paleacrita vernata or Alsophila pometaria, which feed on and destroy fruit and shade trees in North America

Word History and Origins

Origin of cankerworm¹

First recorded in 1520–30; canker + worm

Example Sentences

The outbreak started around Aug. 15; with the life cycle of the cankerworms being 4-6 weeks, their time as caterpillars is almost over.

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The Eastern tent caterpillar, the tomato hornworm, the gypsy moth caterpillar, the fall cankerworm — these pests belong to the darker side of the order Lepidoptera.

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Chickadees and other winter-resident birds can protect orchards against the cankerworm.

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Helmick says large cankerworm infestations also have been reported in eastern Virginia.

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You will often find them among fruit and shady trees; they like old orchards where they hunt for cankerworms.

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