fireworm

[ fahyuhr-wurm ]

noun

1. the larva of any of several moths, as Rhopobota naevana black-headed fireworm, which feeds on the leaves of cranberries and causes them to wither.
2. glowworm.

Word History and Origins

Origin of fireworm¹

First recorded in 1560–70; fire + worm

Example Sentences

According to USA Today, Texas Parks and Wildlife identified the creature from a video sent to them by Ramirez: It was a bearded fireworm.

From Fox News

Jared Oakes, 34, grew up next door to the cranberry farm he now manages with his wife, Jessica Tantisook, 28, a transplant from Nashville, Tenn. Oakes said the cranberry industry traditionally has used lots of pesticides to fight pests, such as the intimidatingly named black-headed fireworm, and herbicides to fight bog-loving weeds.

From Seattle Times

Jared Oakes, 34, grew up next door to the cranberry farm he now manages with his wife, Jessica Tantisook, 28, a transplant from Nashville, Tenn. Oakes said the cranberry industry traditionally has used lots of pesticides to fight pests, such as the intimidatingly named black-headed fireworm, and herbicides to fight bog-loving weeds.

From Seattle Times

From June to September, Dr. Smith regularly takes visitors to well-known fireworm breeding waters where they can enjoy the sunset and, soon after, see the green glow of the circling females and the pulse of the males following them.

From New York Times