gypsy moth

American  

noun

1. a moth, Porthetria dispar, introduced into the U.S. from Europe, the larvae of which feed on the foliage of shade and other trees.

---

gypsy moth British  

noun

1. a variant spelling of gipsy moth

---

Etymology

Origin of gypsy moth

First recorded in 1810–20

Example Sentences

The gypsy moth was renamed the spongy moth by the Entomological Society of America last year, and the former Hottentot Teal, a duck, was renamed the Blue-Billed Teal by the American Ornithological Society.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 12, 2023

In 2022, for instance, the Entomological Society of America adopted spongy moth for the invasive moth Lymantria dispar, getting rid of gypsy moth.

From Science Magazine • Sep. 5, 2023

This spring, I was finally introduced to its very hungry caterpillars, the larval stage of the insect formerly known as the gypsy moth before it was renamed this year.

From Seattle Times • Oct. 13, 2022

In addition, research is being conducted at Cornell University to find a fungus to kill the spotted lantern fly, similar to how a fungus was used to control the gypsy moth population.

From Washington Post • Sep. 13, 2021

The Agriculture Department itself has credited these importations with appreciably reducing the frequency and destructiveness of gypsy moth outbreaks.

From "Silent Spring" by Rachel Carson