tent caterpillar

noun

A larva belonging to any of a number of species of moths of the genus Malacosoma, known for destructive infestation of trees in which the leaves are consumed and prominent, silken tent-like structures are constructed in the branches.

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Meanings

nountent caterpillar (plural tent caterpillars)

plural tent caterpillars

  1. biologyA larva belonging to any of a number of species of moths of the genus Malacosoma, known for destructive infestation of trees in which the leaves are consumed and prominent, silken tent-like structures are constructed in the branches.
Cite this entry
APA

tent caterpillar. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 5, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/tent%20caterpillar

MLA

“tent caterpillar.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/tent%20caterpillar. Accessed November 5, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “tent caterpillar,” accessed November 5, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/tent%20caterpillar.

Source: tent caterpillar on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.