Cankerworm vs. Caterpillar

Cankerwormnoun

Either of two caterpillars, the larvae of geometrid moths, that are destructive to fruit, buds and leaves.

Caterpillarnoun

The larva of a butterfly or moth; leafworm.

‘The bird just ate that green caterpillar.’;

Cankerwormnoun

(figurative) A corrupting or destructive force.

Caterpillarnoun

A vehicle with a caterpillar track; a crawler.

Cankerwormnoun

The larva of two species of geometrid moths which are very injurious to fruit and shade trees by eating, and often entirely destroying, the foliage. Other similar larvæ are also called cankerworms.

Caterpillarnoun

The larval state of a butterfly or any lepidopterous insect; sometimes, but less commonly, the larval state of other insects, as the sawflies, which are also called false caterpillars. The true caterpillars have three pairs of true legs, and several pairs of abdominal fleshy legs (prolegs) armed with hooks. Some are hairy, others naked. They usually feed on leaves, fruit, and succulent vegetables, being often very destructive, Many of them are popularly called worms, as the cutworm, cankerworm, army worm, cotton worm, silkworm.

Cankerwormnoun

green caterpillar of a geometrid moth; pest of various fruit and shade trees

Caterpillarnoun

A plant of the genus Scorpiurus, with pods resembling caterpillars.

Caterpillarnoun

a wormlike and often brightly colored and hairy or spiny larva of a butterfly or moth

Caterpillarnoun

a large vehicle that is driven by caterpillar tracks; frequently used for moving earth in construction and farm work

Caterpillar

Caterpillars ( CAT-ər-pil-ər) are the larval stage of members of the order Lepidoptera (the insect order comprising butterflies and moths). As with most common names, the application of the word is arbitrary, since the larvae of sawflies are commonly called caterpillars as well.