tent caterpillar

noun

1. 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.
2. the North American larva of M. disstria forest tent caterpillar, which spins a dense net.

tent caterpillar

noun

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of tent caterpillar¹

An Americanism dating back to 1850–55

Example Sentences

Many children took the tent caterpillar, reared it from the eggs, and learned all about its metamorphoses.

From Project Gutenberg

My trees are troubled with tent-caterpillar, flathead borer, and leaf-roller; and my apples with codling-moth and curculio.

From Project Gutenberg

My trees are troubled with canker-worm, tent-caterpillar, and leaf-crumpler; my apples with codling-moth and gouger.

From Project Gutenberg

His trees are troubled with tent-caterpillar, flat-headed borer, and leaf-roller, which do little damage.

From Project Gutenberg

In one tree-top he consumed an entire tent-caterpillar colony.

From Project Gutenberg