webworm: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowTechnical / Scientific (Entomology, Agriculture), Occasionally Journalistic
Quick answer
What does “webworm” mean?
The larva (caterpillar) of certain moths that spins a conspicuous, tent-like silk web in trees or shrubs, often living and feeding communally within it.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The larva (caterpillar) of certain moths that spins a conspicuous, tent-like silk web in trees or shrubs, often living and feeding communally within it.
May refer broadly to any caterpillar that constructs a noticeable silk web. It also functions as a common name for specific pest species, such as the fall webworm (Hyphantria cunea) or the garden webworm.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical difference. The same species names (e.g., fall webworm) are used in both varieties. Spelling of related terms (e.g., 'infestation' vs. 'infestation') follows standard BrE/AmE conventions.
Connotations
Neutral-to-negative pest connotation in both regions. In gardening/agricultural contexts, it is a known nuisance.
Frequency
Slightly more frequent in American English due to the prevalence and notoriety of the fall webworm as a North American pest.
Grammar
How to Use “webworm” in a Sentence
The [tree] is infested with webworms.Webworms have defoliated the [branch].To spray for webworms.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “webworm” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The webworm-damaged branches need pruning.
- A severe webworm outbreak.
American English
- The webworm-infested tree looked terrible.
- Webworm control methods were discussed.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare, except in contexts like pest control services or agricultural supply.
Academic
Common in entomology, ecology, and agricultural science papers.
Everyday
Used by gardeners, homeowners, and in local news reports about pest outbreaks.
Technical
Precise term for specific moth larvae (Lepidoptera: Erebidae, etc.) characterized by web-building behavior.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “webworm”
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “webworm”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “webworm”
- Confusing 'webworm' with 'bagworm' (which lives in a case) or 'leaf miner' (which tunnels inside leaves). Using it as a general term for any caterpillar.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, they are not poisonous or venomous to humans. They are a threat only to the foliage of plants.
They are very similar. 'Tent caterpillar' often refers to species in the genus Malacosoma, while 'webworm' often refers to others like Hyphantria. Both build silk tents, but their nests' location (branch crotch vs. branch tips) and season differ.
Common methods include physically removing and destroying the nests, using biological controls like Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt), or applying insecticidal sprays if the infestation is severe.
It is a closed compound, written as one word: 'webworm'.
The larva (caterpillar) of certain moths that spins a conspicuous, tent-like silk web in trees or shrubs, often living and feeding communally within it.
Webworm is usually technical / scientific (entomology, agriculture), occasionally journalistic in register.
Webworm: in British English it is pronounced /ˈwɛb.wɜːm/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈwɛb.wɝːm/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a 'web' spun by a 'worm' (caterpillar) in a tree. It's a worm that makes a web, hence a WEBWORM.
Conceptual Metaphor
INVASION / BLIGHT (The webworm colony is seen as an invading force that consumes and defaces the tree.)
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary defining characteristic of a webworm?