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Bombycidae

plural noun
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Bom·​byc·​i·​dae | \ bämˈbisəˌdē \

Definition of Bombycidae

: a family of chiefly Asian moderate-sized moths having larvae that feed on leaves and spin cocoons of commercially usable silk and including the domesticated silkworms (genus Bombyx) and a few related forms but formerly including many other moths

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History and Etymology for Bombycidae

borrowed from New Latin, from Bombyc-, Bombyx, bombyx + -idae -idae

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Cite this Entry

“Bombycidae.” The Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster Inc., https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Bombycidae. Accessed 28 January 2020.

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