armyworm

[ ahr-mee-wurm ]

noun

1. the larva of the noctuid moth Pseudaletia unipuncta, which advances over a region in massive numbers, suggestive of an army, destroying crops of grain and vegetables.
2. any moth larva that is similar to the noctuid Pseudaletia unipuncta in its habit of advancing over a region in massive numbers, suggestive of an army, destroying agricultural crops.

Word History and Origins

Origin of armyworm¹

An Americanism first recorded in 1735–45; army + worm

Example Sentences

Remarkably, these fern proteins still affected fall armyworm that were resistant to conventional Bt proteins.

From Science Daily

For example, fall armyworms eat through most of the vegetation as they make their way through crops.

From BBC

The glass containers, shaking back and forth inside two incubators, are teeming with cells from a pest known as the fall armyworm moth.

From Washington Post

It uses the same technology in myriad other invasive pests, including the fall armyworm and the soybean looper, which it hopes to sell in the U.S. and around the world.

From Los Angeles Times

A study published in January from the International Journal of Pest Management found that climate change can prompt fall armyworm outbreaks.

From Seattle Times