cactoblastis

noun

cac·​to·​blas·​tis

ˌkaktəˈblastə̇s

1

capitalized : a genus of small moths (subfamily Phycitinae of the family Pyralidae) native to South America including the cactus moth (C. cactorum) which has been introduced into Australia to control prickly-pear infestation

2

plural cactoblastes

-ˌtēz

: cactus moth

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from cactus + -o- + -blastis -blast

First Known Use

1931, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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