fig moth
- noun
- /fɪg mɔθ/
:
polilla de higuera
- The dried fruits in the pantry were ruined by an infestation of fig moth larvae.
Examples
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Proper storage methods can reduce the risk of fig moth infestations in food supplies.
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Warehouse managers often inspect shipments carefully to prevent fig moth contamination.
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The fig moth is a common pest in pantries.
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Many fig moths can ruin a batch of dried fruits.
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To protect your dried fruits, store them properly to avoid fig moth infestations.
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A recent inspection revealed that the fig moth larvae had damaged several boxes of dried figs.
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The presence of fig moth larvae indicates poor storage conditions for food products.
Synonyms
A small moth whose caterpillars eat dried fruit and cereals
A small insect whose caterpillars eat and damage dried fruit
A small moth whose young eat stored grains and nuts and make silk webbing
A small moth whose caterpillars eat and make webs in stored nuts and grain
A small moth whose young eat tobacco and other dried plant foods in storage and damage them
Surface Forms
Morphology
The compound 'fig moth' straightforwardly combines 'fig' and 'moth' to denote a moth associated with or feeding on figs; a B1 learner who knows both words can infer it names a moth species that affects figs. This noun–noun compositional pattern is a common, cross-linguistically transparent way to label insects or pests, making the meaning predictable from the constituents.
Etymology
Fig moth comes from a small moth that lives in and eats stored dried figs. Its young spin tiny webs and spoil the food, so 'fig moth' now means a small moth whose larvae damage stored dried fruit.
