Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

alfalfa caterpillar

noun

Definition of alfalfa caterpillar

: the green larva of the alfalfa butterfly that feeds on the foliage of alfalfa through most of North America and is especially abundant and destructive in the southwestern U.S.

Love words?

You must — there are over 200,000 words in our free online dictionary, but you are looking for one that’s only in the Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary.

Start your free trial today and get unlimited access to America's largest dictionary, with:

  • More than 250,000 words that aren't in our free dictionary
  • Expanded definitions, etymologies, and usage notes
  • Advanced search features
  • Ad free!

First Known Use of alfalfa caterpillar

1911, in the meaning defined above

Keep scrolling for more

Learn More about alfalfa caterpillar

Statistics for alfalfa caterpillar

Look-up Popularity

Time Traveler for alfalfa caterpillar

The first known use of alfalfa caterpillar was in 1911

See more words from the same year

Comments on alfalfa caterpillar

What made you want to look up alfalfa caterpillar? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

Show Comments  Hide Comments 

WORD OF THE DAY

adversary

Listen to the pronounciation of adversary

an enemy or opponent

Get Word of the Day daily email!

Test Your Vocabulary

Name That Thing: Animal Edition

  • alt 5a023732e6f75
  • Name that animal:
How Strong Is Your Vocabulary?

Test your vocabulary with our 10-question quiz!

TAKE THE QUIZ
SCRABBLE® Sprint

Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play
Ask the Editors
Word Games