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Glite Dictionary
pyralid moth

pyralid moth

9.8
A small flying insect with a thin body and long legs whose caterpillars eat crops
  • noun
  • /ˈpɪrəlɪd mɔθ/
  • Specialized
translation icon : polilla piralid
  • Farmers often struggle with infestations of pyralid moth larvae damaging their crops each year.

Examples

  • The pyralid moth is recognizable by its long legs and slender body.

  • Some biological control programs target pyralid moth populations to protect agricultural yields.

  • The pyralid moth is a common pest in many tropical gardens.

  • Farmers are concerned about pyralid moths damaging their crops.

  • Farmers often struggle with infestations of pyralid moth larvae damaging their crops each year.

  • The pyralid moth is a common pest in many tropical gardens, causing significant losses to fruit production.

  • Some biological control methods are being developed to reduce pyralid moth populations and protect local agriculture.

Synonyms

pyralid
vspyralid moth
  • Specialized
9.9

A small, slender moth with long legs whose caterpillars eat crops

is the fuller multi-word name rather than the single-word form

Surface Forms

pyralid moth singular
pyralid moths plural

Morphology

pyralid + moth

The compound is a straightforward subtype construction: 'pyralid' (a long-legged, crop‑damaging moth) modifies 'moth', so the phrase refers to a moth of that type. Even though 'pyralid' is technical, if a B1 learner knows that constituent meaning the overall phrase is fully predictable and compositional.

Etymology

Pyralid moth may come from an old word 'pyralis', a creature of fire, because these insects were often seen near flames or lights at night. That's why the name came to be used for these slender pyralid moths whose caterpillars eat crops.