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Glite Dictionary
Heliothis

Heliothis

9.9
A group of moths whose caterpillars eat crops like cotton or corn
  • noun
  • /ˈhɛliəˌθɪs/
  • Specialized
translation icon : Heliothis
  • The heliothis genus includes several species that are considered serious agricultural pests.

Examples

  • There are a number of insects that attack the wheat crop, such as termites, cutworms, wheat weevils, Jassids, aphids, armyworms, and heliothis.

    Academic text (2014)

  • The Heliothis moths are known to cause significant damage to corn fields.

  • Farmers often use pesticides to control the population of heliothis caterpillars.

Synonyms

genus Heliothis
vsHeliothis
  • Specialized
9.4

A group of moths that includes kinds that damage crops

has the same biological group meaning but emphasizes some species as destructive
heliothis moth
vsHeliothis
  • Specialized
9.9

A medium-sized insect whose caterpillar eats crops like corn and tomato and causes damage

refers to the whole group rather than one species

Compounds

genus Heliothis
  • Specialized
9.4

A group of moths that includes kinds that damage crops

heliothis moth
  • Specialized
9.9

A medium-sized insect whose caterpillar eats crops like corn and tomato and causes damage

Surface Forms

Heliothis singular
Heliothises plural

Etymology

Heliothis begins with the Greek part helio- meaning 'sun', the same root you can see in helium, and the second part is a Greek ending often used in animal names; a helpful way to remember it is to think of a 'sun' insect. That's why Heliothis is the name given to a group of moths, many of which feed on crop plants.