cutworm

noun

cut·worm | \ ˈkət-ˌwərm

How to pronounce cutworm (audio)

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Definition of cutworm

: any of various smooth-bodied chiefly nocturnal noctuid moth caterpillars which often feed on young plant stems near ground level

Examples of cutworm in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Control weeds, grasses, and debris in the vegetable garden that provide cover; hand-pick cutworm larvae after dark, using a flashlight to find them, if practical. — oregonlive, "Ask an expert: Blackberries and raspberries aren’t ‘enemies’ but may do better given space from each other," 7 Mar. 2021 The omnivores eat many different foods, including whitebark pine nuts and army cutworm moths. — James Leggate, Fox News, "Bow hunters survive grizzly attack after surprising mama bear and cubs," 10 Sep. 2020 The cutworm comes from a moth laying their eggs in the soil. — oregonlive, "Ask an expert: Must we spray cherries to get rid of worms?," 24 May 2020 Killing a cutworm with a trowel or farmer’s knife (Hori-Hori) will save woe in terms of labor and time. — Margaret Lauterbach, idahostatesman, "Don’t jump the gun on spring planting | Idaho Statesman," 17 Apr. 2018 Grizzlies, which are a type of brown bear, also like to spend their days turning over rocks in search of army cutworm moths. — Jason Bittel, Washington Post, "Think you know what bunnies and bears eat? Their diets may surprise you.," 22 Sep. 2019 One of the stranger animals that the bears eat must be army cutworm moths, also known as miller moths. — Douglas Main, National Geographic, "The most bizarre things grizzly bears eat, from elk to moths," 25 June 2019 At the end of the season, these tobacco plants had much less leaf damage than others from grasshoppers and cutworms. — Quanta Magazine, "The Secret Language of Plants," 16 Dec. 2013 These types actually combat a variety of pest species, including weevils, clearwing borers, cutworms, sod webworms, chinch bugs, and white grubs. — The Editors, Good Housekeeping, "What Are Nematodes? These Tiny Parasites Can Help — Or Hurt — Your Garden," 1 July 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'cutworm.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Last Updated

19 Mar 2021

Cite this Entry

“Cutworm.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cutworm. Accessed 10 Apr. 2021.

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More Definitions for cutworm

cutworm

noun

cut·worm | \ ˈkət-ˌwərm

\

Kids Definition of cutworm

: a moth caterpillar that has a smooth body and feeds on the stems of plants at night

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