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Glite Dictionary
lymantriid

lymantriid

9.9
A moth with hairy caterpillars that eat the leaves of many trees
  • noun
  • /ˌlaɪmənˈtrɪɪd/
  • Specialized
translation icon : moth lymantriidae
  • The lymantriid caterpillar can defoliate entire trees when present in large numbers.

Examples

  • Several lymantriid species are considered pests in forested regions worldwide.

  • Many lymantriids are known for their hairy caterpillars.

  • A scientist collected a lymantriid specimen to study its larval development.

  • The lymantriid larvae are often found on oak trees.

  • In early spring, a lymantriid butterfly emerged from its cocoon, ready to search for food.

  • The lymantriid larvae are notorious for damaging crops by stripping the leaves of fruit trees.

  • Many gardeners are concerned when they notice lymantriid caterpillars crawling on their plants.

Synonyms

tussock moth
vslymantriid
  • Specialized
8.6

A dull colored moth whose caterpillars have tufts of hair and eat leaves of many trees

is the name that identifies the moth by its scientific family

Surface Forms

lymantriid singular
lymantriids plural

Morphology

lymantriid = Lymantriidae (opaque) = lymantri + id

Formed from a Latinized taxonomic name plus the technical biological suffix '-id' for members of a family, which is specialized and not predictable for average learners.

Etymology

The word lymantriid comes from the scientific family name Lymantriidae, made from the genus Lymantria, the name given to a group of moths. These moths are known for their hairy caterpillars that eat tree leaves, so a lymantriid is a moth whose caterpillars can strip trees of leaves.