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Glite Dictionary
cabbageworm

cabbageworm

8.2
A green caterpillar that eats cabbage and other garden plants
  • noun
  • /ˈkæbɪdʒwɜrm/
  • US
translation icon : gusano de la col
  • If left untreated, cabbageworms can destroy entire cabbage crops.
  • cabbage and cabbageworms
  • cabbageworms, small green caterpillars
  • cabbageworm moths

Examples

  • The gardener found several cabbageworms munching holes in the lettuce leaves.

  • Birds are natural predators of the cabbageworm in vegetable gardens.

  • The cabbageworm is a common pest in gardens.

  • Many farmers struggle with cabbageworms each season.

  • Keep an eye out for cabbageworms, small green caterpillars that feed on plants in the cabbage family.

  • Handpick any cabbageworms that appear, or control them with Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis).

  • If you find cabbageworms in your garden, soak the affected cabbage in strong salt water for 15 minutes.

Synonyms

Pieris rapae
vscabbageworm
  • Specialized
9.7

A green caterpillar that eats cabbage and similar garden plants

is the general name for the same green larva on related plants

Surface Forms

cabbageworm singular
cabbageworms plural

Morphology

cabbageworm = cabbage + worm (transparent) = cabbage + worm

Meaning is directly the compound of 'cabbage' + 'worm', referring to a larval pest associated with cabbage, which is guessable by learners.

Etymology

The word cabbageworm is made of cabbage and worm. So it literally names a 'worm' that eats cabbage, which is why it refers to the green young insect often found feeding on cabbage and similar plants.