forest tent caterpillar


noun

See under tent caterpillar.

Origin of forest tent caterpillar

An Americanism dating back to 1850–55

Words nearby forest tent caterpillar

Definition for forest tent caterpillar (2 of 2)

tent caterpillar

noun

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

Origin of tent caterpillar

An Americanism dating back to 1850–55

British Dictionary definitions for forest tent caterpillar

tent caterpillar

noun

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