army worm: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Technical/Agricultural, Figurative (in journalism/media).
Quick answer
What does “army worm” mean?
A pestilent caterpillar (larvae of various moths) that feeds voraciously on crops and plants, often moving in large, destructive groups.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A pestilent caterpillar (larvae of various moths) that feeds voraciously on crops and plants, often moving in large, destructive groups.
A term used to describe a sudden, overwhelming, and destructive force, often in a metaphorical sense comparing it to an invasive, coordinated group. Also refers specifically to species in the genus Spodoptera and Mythimna.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No major lexical differences. Both varieties use the term identically for the insect. The figurative use is equally possible in both.
Connotations
Strongly negative connotations of agricultural disaster, plague, and unstoppable consumption.
Frequency
Higher frequency in agricultural reports and regions affected by outbreaks (e.g., Africa, Americas). In everyday language, it's low-frequency unless discussing farming or relevant news.
Grammar
How to Use “army worm” in a Sentence
The [crop] is under attack from army worms.[Region] faces an army worm [infestation/crisis].Farmers are battling army worms.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “army worm” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The army-worm infestation has devastated the maize.
- They discussed army-worm control strategies.
American English
- The army worm outbreak is spreading north.
- We need an army worm management plan.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Might appear in reports on agricultural commodity risks or insurance.
Academic
Common in entomology, agriculture, and environmental science papers.
Everyday
Low frequency. Used when discussing gardening problems or news reports on farming crises.
Technical
The primary register. Precise identification of species (e.g., Spodoptera frugiperda).
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “army worm”
- Misspelling as 'armyworm' (though this is an accepted variant).
- Confusing it with 'cutworm' or 'bollworm', which are different pests.
- Using it as a verb (e.g., 'The fields were army-wormed').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it's a misnomer. It is the larval (caterpillar) stage of certain moth species.
No, it is exclusively a noun. There is no standard verb form.
There is no meaningful difference. 'Army worm' (open compound) and 'armyworm' (closed compound) are both used, though style guides may prefer one form.
They are named for their behavior of moving across landscapes in large, coordinated groups, reminiscent of an army on the march.
A pestilent caterpillar (larvae of various moths) that feeds voraciously on crops and plants, often moving in large, destructive groups.
Army worm is usually technical/agricultural, figurative (in journalism/media). in register.
Army worm: in British English it is pronounced /ˈɑː.mi ˌwɜːm/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈɑːr.mi ˌwɝːm/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Like an army worm through a cornfield (meaning: to consume or destroy something rapidly and completely).”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a vast ARMY of tiny WORMs marching in unison across a field, leaving nothing but stems behind.
Conceptual Metaphor
DESTRUCTION IS AN INSATIABLE HORDE / A PROBLEM IS A RAVENOUS PEST.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'army worm' most accurately used?