black palmer

plural black palmers

1. colloquialobsoleteThe larva of the turnip sawfly, an agricultural pest

   The caterpillars of the Turnip Sawfly (Athalia spinarum) called ‘Niggers’ or ‘Black Palmers’ attack the leaves at a more advanced stage, and may be recognised by their dull yellow colour, and dense whitish short hairs.

   1901, John Weathers, A Practical Guide to Garden Plants ...

   1 more example

   Mr. Wooldridge informed me, that on the first appearance of the insects, before he had himself observed them, one of his older neighbours remarked to him, that "the yellow flies which produce the black palmers were then abundant in the turnip fields;" […]

   1839, G. Newport, “Essay on the Turnip Fly”, in The Farmer's Magazine, page 123

   Synonyms: black canker, black jack, nigger