spring cankerworm


noun

See under cankerworm.

Origin of spring cankerworm

An Americanism dating back to 1885–90

Definition for spring cankerworm (2 of 2)

cankerworm
[ kang-ker-wurm ]
/ ˈkæŋ kərˌwɜrm /

noun

the striped, green caterpillar of any of several geometrid moths: a foliage pest of various fruit and shade trees, as Paleacrita vernata (spring cankerworm) and Alsophila pometaria (fall cankerworm).

Origin of cankerworm

First recorded in 1520–30; canker + worm

British Dictionary definitions for spring cankerworm

cankerworm
/ (ˈkæŋkəˌwɜːm) /

noun

the larva of either of two geometrid moths, Paleacrita vernata or Alsophila pometaria, which feed on and destroy fruit and shade trees in North America