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.

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of tussock moth¹

First recorded in 1820–30

Word History and Origins

Origin of tussock moth¹

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

Example Sentences

Among these pests, the most important to the dweller in a large city is the tussock moth, which destroys our shade trees.

From Project Gutenberg

As outdoor work, look for the egg masses on trees and fences and devise means of combating the tussock-moth.

From Project Gutenberg

These are the white-marked tussock moth, the rusty tussock moth, and the definite-marked tussock moth.

From Project Gutenberg