moth

Definition of moth in English English dictionary: A usually nocturnal insect of the order Lepidoptera, distinguished from butterflies by feather-like antennae; To hunt for moths; The plant Vigna aconitifolia, known as moth bean; {n} a small winged insect that eats cloth; the larvæ of several species of beetles of the genera Dermestes and Anthrenus; Anything which gradually and silently eats, consumes, or wastes any other thing; usually nocturnal insect of the order Lepidoptera, distinguished from butterflies by feather-like antennae; typically crepuscular or nocturnal insect having a stout body and feathery or hairlike antennae; esp; as, the clothes moth; grain moth; bee moth; See these terms under Clothes, Grain, etc; A moth is an insect like a butterfly which usually flies about at night. Any of several thousand lepidopteran species, found in all but polar habitats. Moths are chiefly nocturnal and have a stouter body, duller colouring, and proportionately smaller wings than butterflies. They have distinctive feathery antennae and, when at rest, fold their wings, wrap them around the body, or hold them extended at their sides. Wingspans range from less than 1 in. (2.5 cm) to about 1 ft (30 cm). The life cycle has four stages: egg, larva (caterpillar, or worm), pupa (chrysalis), and adult (imago). Both larvae and adults of most species are plant eaters, and many seriously damage forests, agricultural crops, and fabrics. See also bagworm moth; gypsy moth; hawk moth; luna moth; miller; saturniid moth; silkworm moth; tiger moth; tussock moth. owlet moth bagworm moth gypsy moth hawk moth sphinx moth luna moth saturniid moth giant silkworm moth silkworm moth tiger moth tussock moth; Any lepidopterous insect that feeds upon garments, grain, etc; The plant moth bean, Vigna aconitifolia; Carpet moths are often the larvæ of Anthrenus; {i} type of nocturnal flying insect similar to a butterfly; A mote; See Carpet beetle, under Carpet, Dermestes, Anthrenus; Any one of various other insects that destroy woolen and fur goods, etc; Any nocturnal lepidopterous insect, or any not included among the butterflies; as, the luna moth; Io moth; hawk moth
moth-eaten: old and in poor condition
moth-eaten: Containing holes by having been eaten by moth larvae
moth eaten: {a} eaten or consumed by moths
moth ball: {i} naphthalene ball used as moth repellent
moth bean: East Indian legume having hairy foliage and small yellow flowers followed by cylindrical pods; used especially in India for food and forage and soil-conditioning; sometimes placed in genus Phaseolus
moth miller: any of various moths that have powdery wings
moth mullein: European mullein with smooth leaves and large yellow or purplish flowers; naturalized as a weed in North America
moth orchid: any of various orchids of the genus Phalaenopsis having often drooping glossy broad obovate or oval leaves usually dark green flushed purple or mottled gray and silver
moth-eaten: {s} eaten by moths; out-of-date, old-fashioned
moth-eaten: Moth-eaten clothes look very old and have holes in them
moth-eaten: worn or eaten away by (or as if by) moths; "moth-eaten blankets"
moth-eaten: disapproval If you describe something as moth-eaten, you mean that it seems unattractive or useless because it is old or has been used too much. We drove through a somewhat moth-eaten deer park This strategy looks increasingly moth-eaten
moth-eaten: showing signs of wear and tear; "a ratty old overcoat"; "shabby furniture"; "an old house with dirty windows and tatty curtains
Mediterranean flour moth: A type of moth that feeds on grain, taxonomic name Ephestia kuehniella
November moth: A moth, Epirrita dilutata, found throughout Europe and the Middle East
atlas moth: a large moth, Attacus atlas, from the tropical forests of southeast Asia
black-arched moth: A black-and-white species of moths of the Lymantriidae family
clothes moth: An insect of the family Tineidae, feeding on textiles
codling moth: a small moth, Cydia pomonella, whose larvae (the apple worms) are destructive to apples and other fruit
common clothes moth: A winged insect of Tineidae family, the caterpillar of which is a serious pest which destroys woollen materials
geometer moth: A geometrid moth
geometrid moth: Any of the various moths of the family Geometridae
gypsy moth: Lymantria dispar, a species of moth
hawk moth: Any moth of the family Sphingidae
io moth: A large yellow moth, Automeris io, found in North America
lappet moth: An eggar
leek moth: A small moth (Acrolepia assectella) with larvae that feed on Allium species, mainly leek
luna moth: A large, green American moth, Actias luna, that has crescent-shaped marks on its wings
miller moth: Any of several species of moths with pale, dusty wings
They caught a large moth called a miller for its dusty white wings, after which they crushed the miller-moth for his misdeeds.
nun moth: black arched moth
owlet moth: Any moth of the family Noctuidae
plume moth: Any one of numerous small, slender moths, belonging to the family Pterophoridae. Most of them have the wings deeply divided into two or more plumelike lobes. Some species are injurious to the grapevine
rabbit moth: The southern flannel moth, Megalopyge opercularis
snout moth: An eggar
tiger moth: A stout-bodied moth (species) of the family Arctiidae
Most tiger moths have broad, striped (hence the name) or spotted wings.
wine moth: An insect, of the genus Oinophila, whose larvae bore holes in the corks of wine bottles
tiger moth: (Hayvan Bilim, Zooloji) A stout moth which has boldly spotted and streaked wings and a hairy caterpillar (woolly bear). [Arctia and other genera: many species.]
A moth: slow
Angoumois moth: small moth whose larvae feed on kernels of stored grains
Mediterranean flour moth: A small, pale gray moth (Anagasta kuehniella) now found worldwide, the larvae of which destroy flour and other stored grain products
almond moth: moth whose larvae feed on and mat together with webbing various stored foods
angoumois moth: A small moth (Gelechia cerealella) which is very destructive to wheat and other grain
angoumois moth: The larva eats out the interior of the grain, leaving only the shell
antler moth: European moth with white antler-like markings on the forewings; the larvae damage pastures and grasslands
atlas moth: giant saturniid moth widespread in Asia; sometimes cultured for silk
bagworm moth: Any insect of the moth family Psychidae, found worldwide, named for the baglike cases the larvae (see larva) carry with them. The bag, which ranges in size from 0.25 to 6 in. (6-150 mm), is constructed from silk and bits of leaves, twigs, and other debris. The strong-bodied male has broad, fringed wings with a wingspread averaging 1 in. (25 mm). The wormlike female lacks wings. Bagworm larvae often damage trees, especially evergreens
bee moth: moth whose larvae live in and feed on bee honeycombs
bee moth: A moth (Galleria mellonella) that lays its eggs in beehives, where the larvae feed on the wax and debris of the honeycombs. Also called wax moth
carpet moth: larvae feed on carpets and other woolens
casemaking clothes moth: the larvae live in tubes of its food material fastened with silk that it spins
cinnabar moth: cinnabar: large red-and-black European moth; larvae feed on leaves of ragwort; introduced into United States to control ragwort
clothes moth: woolens
clothes moth: Any of various moths of the family Tineidae, whose larvae feed on wool, hair, fur, and feathers
clothes moth: any of several small yellowish or buff-colored moths whose larvae eat organic matter e g woolens
clothes moth: type of moth whose larvae eat wool or fur
clothes moth: any of several small yellowish or buff-colored moths whose larvae eat organic matter e
codling moth: A small grayish moth (Carpocapsa pomonella) whose larvae are destructive to various fruits, especially apples
codling moth: a small gray moth whose larvae live in apples and English walnuts
cynthia moth: large Asiatic moth introduced into the United States; larvae feed on the ailanthus
death's-head moth: European hawkmoth with markings on the back resembling a human skull
domestic silkworm moth: stocky creamy-white Asiatic moth found almost entirely under human care; the source of most of the silk of commerce
emperor moth: Any of several moths of the family Saturnidae, especially Saturnia pavonia of Eurasia, having distinctively patterned wings
giant silkworm moth: any silkworm moth of the family Saturniidae
gipsy, moth: The male gypsy moth is yellowish brown, the female white, and larger than the male
gipsy, moth: They usually pupate in July and the moth appears in August
gipsy, moth: The caterpillars, when full-grown, have a grayish mottled appearance, with blue tubercles on the anterior and red tubercles on the posterior part of the body, all giving rise to long yellow and black hairs
gipsy, moth: In both sexes the wings are marked by dark lines and a dark lunule
gipsy, moth: A tussock moth (Ocneria dispar) native of the Old World, but accidentally introduced into eastern Massachusetts about 1869, where its caterpillars have done great damage to fruit, shade, and forest trees of many kinds
gipsy, moth: and hatch in the spring
gipsy, moth: The eggs are laid on tree trunks, rocks, etc
gold-tail moth: white furry-bodied European moth with a yellow tail tuft
grain moth: moth whose larvae feed on grain
gypsy moth: Species (Lymantria dispar) of tussock moth, a serious pest of trees. The European strain was introduced into eastern North America 1869. The heavy-bodied, weak-flying female is white with black zigzag markings and a wingspan of 1.5-2 in. (38-50 mm). The smaller, darker male is a stronger flier. The voracious larvae can completely defoliate deciduous trees within weeks. The larger Asian gypsy moth (wingspan of about 3.5 in., or 90 mm) is even more threatening because the female is a stronger flier, enabling it to spread quickly, and the larvae eat the leaves of both conifers and deciduous trees. It was introduced into northwestern North America in 1991. Sprayed insecticides remain the most effective means of control
gypsy moth: European moth introduced into North America; a serious pest of shade trees
hawk moth: The larvæ are large, hairless caterpillars ornamented with green and other bright colors, and often with a caudal spine
hawk moth: any of various moths with long narrow forewings capable of powerful flight and hovering over flowers to feed
hawk moth: or sphinx moth Any moth of the lepidopteran family Sphingidae. Found worldwide, these stout-bodied moths have long, narrow forewings and shorter hind wings, with wingspans ranging from 2 to 8 in. (5-20 cm). Many species pollinate flowers while sucking nectar; the proboscis of some species is up to 13 in. (32.5 cm) long. Some hawk moths migrate. The larvae, which are smooth and have a dorsal "horn," are called hornworms; larvae of two North American species the tobacco, or southern, hornworm, and the tomato, or northern, hornworm attack tomato, tobacco, and potato crops
hawk moth: They are large, handsome moths, which fly mostly at twilight and hover about flowers like a humming bird, sucking the honey by means of a long, slender proboscis
hawk moth: See Sphinx, also Tobacco worm, and Tomato worm
hawk moth: Any moth of the family Sphingidæ, of which there are numerous genera and species
heliothis moth: medium-sized moth whose larvae are corn earworms
imperial moth: A large New World moth (Eacles imperialis) having yellow wings with purplish or brownish markings
imperial moth: large American moth having yellow wings with purplish or brownish markings; larvae feed on e
imperial moth: maple and pine trees
io moth: The larva is covered with prickly hairs, which sting like nettles
io moth: A large and handsome American moth (Hyperchiria Io), having a large, bright-colored spot on each hind wing, resembling the spots on the tail of a peacock
io moth: large yellow American moth having a large eyelike spot on each hind wing; the larvae have stinging spines
isabella moth: A common American moth (Pyrrharctia isabella), of an isabella color
isabella moth: The larva, called woolly bear and hedgehog caterpillar, is densely covered with hairs, which are black at each end of the body, and red in the middle part
leopard moth: A large moth (Zeuzera pyrina) having white wings with black spots and larvae that damage trees by boring into the wood
luna moth: Species (Actias luna) of saturniid moth of eastern North America. Lunas are pale green and have a wingspread of 4 in. (10 cm). The wings have a thin brown border, and each hind wing has a long tail-like projection. The larvae feed on the leaves of many kinds of trees and shrubs. See also moth
luna moth: large pale-green American moth with long-tailed hind wings and a yellow crescent-shaped mark on each fore wing
mediterranean flour moth: small moth whose larvae damage stored grain and flour
moths: Plural of moth
noctuid moth: usually dull-colored medium-sized nocturnal moth; the usually smooth-bodied larvae are destructive agricultural pests
pernyi moth: A silk- producing moth (Attacus Pernyi) which feeds upon the oak
pernyi moth: It has been introduced into Europe and America from China
pernyi moth: a Chinese moth that produces a brownish silk
polyphemus moth: very large yellowish-brown American silkworm moth with large eyespots on hind wings; larvae feed on fruit and shade trees
potato moth: grayish-brown moth whose larva is the potato tuberworm
raisin moth: moth whose larvae attack dried fruits and cereal products
saturniid moth: or giant silkworm moth Any of some 800 moth species of the principally tropical family Saturniidae. Adults have a stout, hairy body and broad wings, often vividly coloured and patterned. Most species have a central eyespot on each wing. Among the saturniids are the io moth (Automeris io); the giant cecropia moth (Hyalophora cecropia), the largest moth native to North America, with a wingspan of 6 in. (15 cm); several species of Antheraea that are used as a source of commercial silk; the emperor moth (Saturnia pavonia); and the luna moth
silkworm moth: Any of the moths, chiefly of the family Bombycidae, whose larvae produce silk cocoons. Any moth in the genus Bombyx (family Bombycidae). The Chinese silkworm (B. mori) has been used in commercial silk production for centuries. The adult, which has a wingspan of about 2 in. (50 mm) and a thick, hairy body, lives only two or three days. The female lays 300-500 eggs. The pale, naked larvae are fed mulberry leaves until pupation begins, when they are about 3 in. (75 mm) long. They spin a cocoon of one continuous white or yellow silken thread, about 1,000 yards (900 m) long. The pupa is killed with hot air or steam to preserve the thread intact. See also saturniid moth
tent-caterpillar moth: moth whose larvae are tent caterpillars moth whose gregarious larvae spin carpets
tiger moth: medium-sized moth with long richly colored and intricately patterned wings; larvae are called woolly bears
tiger moth: Any of numerous, often brightly colored moths of the family Arctiidae, characteristically having wings marked with spots or stripes. Any of more than 3,500 species (family Arctiidae) of moths, many with furry or hairy larvae called woolly bears. Most adults have a thick body and white, orange, or green wings. At rest, the wings are folded rooflike over the body. The fall webworm (Hyphantria cunea) is a serious pest. The caterpillars construct webs over leaves, sometimes covering large areas with silken sheets. They pupate aboveground in a cocoon made of larval hairs and silk. The Isabella tiger moth (Isia isabella) attains a wingspan of 1.5-2 in. (37-50 mm). Black spots mark its abdomen and yellow wings
tobacco moth: small moth whose larvae feed on tobacco and other dried plant products
tussock moth: Any of various dull-colored moths of the family Lymantriidae, the caterpillars of which have tufts of hair along the back and are often destructive to deciduous trees. Typical member of the small European and New World lepidopteran family Liparidae (formerly Lymantriidae). The large, hairy larvae of most species have hair tufts, or tussocks; many have stinging hairs. Several species, including the gypsy moth, browntail moth, satin moth, and nun moth, damage trees. The larvae feed on foliage, sometimes foraging from a silken tent or a colonial nest of webbed leaves. Larvae pupate in a cocoon attached to a tree branch or trunk. Adult females range from white to brown; some, such as the white-marked tussock moth, are wingless. See also moth
v moth: A common gray European moth (Halia vauaria) having a V-shaped spot of dark brown on each of the fore wings
webbing clothes moth: moth that forms a web in which it lives
webworm moth: a variety of moth that spins a web in which it lives
witch moth: Any of several large noctuid moths of the genus Erebus of the southern United States and tropical America
woolly bear moth: larva of moth of the family Arctiidae
yucca moth: A small white moth (Tegeticula alba) of North America that pollinates the yucca plant and at the same time lays its eggs in the ovaries of the flower