tent caterpillar

American  

noun

1. any of the larvae of several moths of the genus Malacosoma, which feed on the leaves of orchard and shade trees and live colonially in a tentlike silken web.

2. the North American larva of M. disstria forest tent caterpillar, which spins a dense net.

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tent caterpillar British  

noun

1. the larva of various moths of the family Lasiocampidae, esp Malacosoma americana of North America, which build communal webs in trees

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Etymology

Origin of tent caterpillar

An Americanism dating back to 1850–55

Example Sentences

The online class from 12:30-2:15 p.m. will cover identification of blossom brown rot, bacterial canker, cherry mottle leaf, shothole, cherry bark tortrix and tent caterpillar.

From Seattle Times • Jun. 4, 2021

A short distance to the southwest, the worst tent caterpillar infestation in 25 years has already chewed up 40,000 acres of maple and other hardwood forests in the state of Vermont.

From Time Magazine Archive

Field tests are being made in several countries: in France and Germany against larvae of the cabbage butterfly, in Yugoslavia against the fall webworm, in the Soviet Union against a tent caterpillar.

From "Silent Spring" by Rachel Carson

When you see the webs that the tent caterpillar stretches across the ends of the branches of fruit and nut trees toward the end of summer, or early autumn, watch for the cuckoo's visits.

From Birds Every Child Should Know by Blanchan, Neltje

The tent caterpillar, which is easily seen, should be destroyed at once.

From Scientific American Supplement, No. 433, April 19, 1884 by Various