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tortricid

tortricid

9.9
A small moth whose caterpillars roll leaves and eat fruit
  • noun
  • /ˈtɔrtrɪsɪd/
  • Specialized
translation icon : tortrícido
  • The apple orchard suffered heavy damage from a tortricid infestation this year.

Examples

  • A tortricid moth was discovered feeding on the leaves of the grapevine.

  • Scientists studied the life cycle of the tortricid to develop better pest control methods.

  • The tortricid larvae damaged the apple trees.

  • Farmers need to control tortricids to protect their crops.

  • A tortricid moth was discovered feeding on the leaves of the grapevine.

  • The apple orchard suffered heavy damage from a tortricid infestation this year.

  • Farmers need to control tortricids to protect their crops.

Synonyms

tortricid moth
vstortricid
  • Specialized
9.9

A small moth whose caterpillars roll leaves and eat fruit

is the general term for any small Tortricidae moths rather than one species
tortrix
vstortricid
  • Specialized
9.9

A small moth whose caterpillars eat and damage crops or fruit

refers specifically to small family members that roll leaves or live in galls

Compounds

tortricid moth
  • Specialized
9.9

A small moth whose caterpillars roll leaves and eat fruit

Surface Forms

tortricid singular
tortricids plural

Morphology

tortricid = Tortricidae (opaque) = tortric + id

The formation uses a technical taxonomic stem and the specialist suffix '-id' (member of a group), which is not productive or familiar to average learners.

Etymology

Tortricid comes from the Latin tortrix, from torquere 'to twist'. So, because these moths' caterpillars roll and twist leaves, the name helps you remember their leaf-rolling habit.