cutworm

American  

[kuht-wurm] / ˈkʌtˌwɜrm /

noun

1. the larva of any of several noctuid moths, which feeds at night on the stems of young plants, cutting them off at the ground.

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cutworm British  

/ ˈkʌtˌwɜːm /

noun

1. the caterpillar of various noctuid moths, esp those of the genus Argrotis, which is a pest of young crop plants in North America

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Etymology

Origin of cutworm

First recorded in 1800–10; cut + worm

Example Sentences

As an example, black cutworm caterpillars are eaten by green lacewings, among others.

From Salon • Mar. 1, 2023

My own veggie plot in the community garden is beyond the cutworm stage and now welcomes other pests.

From Washington Post • Jul. 19, 2016

One exception is a brown caterpillar named the cutworm, which has an annoying habit of biting off seedlings just above the soil line.

From Washington Post • Jul. 19, 2016

After five years of development and 1,400 pages of data submitted to the EPA, the company is convinced that the doctored soil bacteria pose danger only to the cutworm.

From Time Magazine Archive

The repellant effect of bursts of ultrasonic sound is being tested in Canada against corn borer and cutworm moths.

From "Silent Spring" by Rachel Carson