tent caterpillar

noun

: any of several social caterpillars (genus Malacosoma and especially M. americanum of the family Lasiocampidae) that form large silken webs on trees and may cause serious defoliation

Examples of tent caterpillar in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Most healthy trees can tolerate severe defoliation from eastern tent caterpillars. Pamm Cooper, Hartford Courant, 8 May 2024 My cherry tree had tent caterpillars on it last year. Miri Talabac, Baltimore Sun, 28 Mar. 2024 Occasionally, eastern tent caterpillars have outbreak years where large numbers of the tents can be seen on the same tree. Pamm Cooper, Hartford Courant, 8 May 2024 Indeed, recent years have documented tent caterpillar eggs hatching in mid-April. Miri Talabac, Baltimore Sun, 28 Mar. 2024 Western tent caterpillars Caterpillars with black bodies and white/yellow/blue markings. The Arizona Republic, 14 Feb. 2024 For Mount Cabot Maple, drama hit the sugar bush in 2016 and again in 2017 in the form of a tent caterpillar infestation that defoliated so many trees that syrup production dropped 60 percent. Amanda Gokee, BostonGlobe.com, 9 Aug. 2023 The emerald ash borer, eastern tent caterpillar, and browntail moth all feed on these and other hardwood trees. Manasee Wagh, Popular Mechanics, 2 Feb. 2023 The western tent caterpillar is pretty common in western Oregon and is probably the culprit. oregonlive, 25 July 2021

Word History

First Known Use

1854, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of tent caterpillar was in 1854

Dictionary Entries Near tent caterpillar

Cite this Entry

“Tent caterpillar.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tent%20caterpillar. Accessed 24 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

tent caterpillar

noun
: any of several destructive caterpillars that live in groups and construct large silken webs on trees
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