Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

red-backed cutworm

noun

Definition of red-backed cutworm 

: a cutworm that is the larva of a noctuid moth (Euxoa ochrogaster), that is a serious pest on wheat, barley, rye, sugar beets and other plants in Canada and northern U.S., and that feeds both above and below ground

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!

Learn More about red-backed cutworm

Share red-backed cutworm

Statistics for red-backed cutworm

Look-up Popularity

Comments on red-backed cutworm

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

Show Comments  Hide Comments 

WORD OF THE DAY

perennial

living or existing for a long time

Get Word of the Day daily email!

Test Your Vocabulary

Late Autumn 2018 Words of the Day Quiz

  • frosted-autumn-leaves
  • Which is a synonym of yahoo?
Spell It

Can you spell these 10 commonly misspelled words?

TAKE THE QUIZ
Syn City

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