tussock moth


noun
  1. any of several moths of the family Lymantriidae, the larvae of which have characteristic tufts of hair on the body and feed on the leaves of various deciduous trees.

Origin of tussock moth

1
First recorded in 1820–30

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How to use tussock moth in a sentence

  • Three species of caterpillars, all most striking in appearance, the larval stages of tussock moths, infest pear-trees.

    The Pears of New York | U. P. Hedrick

British Dictionary definitions for tussock moth

tussock moth

noun
  1. any of various pale or dull-coloured moths of the family Lymantriidae (or Laparidae), the hairy caterpillars of which are pests of many trees: See also gipsy moth, brown-tail moth, goldtail moth

Origin of tussock moth

1
C19: so named because of the tufts of hair on the caterpillars

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