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Glite Dictionary
tent-caterpillar moth

tent-caterpillar moth

8.7
An insect whose caterpillars spin large silk tents in trees
  • noun
  • UK
translation icon : polilla de la oruga de tienda
  • The larvae of the tent-caterpillar moth spin large silk webs that resemble tents in the trees.

Examples

  • The tent-caterpillar moth is known for the communal silken tents its larvae construct in trees.

  • Gardeners often remove nests to prevent damage caused by the larvae of the tent-caterpillar moth.

  • In spring, the appearance of the tent-caterpillar moth signals the beginning of the caterpillar infestation.

  • The tent-caterpillar moth is often seen in the spring.

  • Many tent-caterpillar moths can be found in our backyard.

  • During the summer, you might notice a large tent-caterpillar moth hanging around its web in the garden.

  • Gardeners often find the nests of the tent-caterpillar moth in oak trees, as the larvae build extensive silk tents.

Synonyms

Malacosoma
vstent-caterpillar moth
  • Specialized
9.9

A kind of moth whose caterpillars make silk tents in trees

is the common name for moths whose larvae spin tentlike silk webs in trees

Surface Forms

tent-caterpillar moth singular
tent-caterpillar moths plural

Morphology

tent-caterpillar + moth

The compound is compositionally built: a 'tent-caterpillar moth' is a moth associated with (or whose larvae are) tent-caterpillars — caterpillars that make tent-like silk webs. Even if 'tent-caterpillar' is not listed as a single dictionary entry, a B1 learner who knows 'tent', 'caterpillar', and 'moth' can reasonably infer this meaning from standard noun‑noun compounding patterns in English.

Etymology

The name tent-caterpillar moth comes from the way its young caterpillars make large silk tents in tree branches, where many of them live together. That's why the name tells you it is a moth whose caterpillars build tent-like nests on trees.