Noctuidae

plural noun

Noc·​tu·​i·​dae
näkˈtüəˌdē
: a large nearly cosmopolitan family of medium-sized stout-bodied dull-colored night-flying moths with usually naked larvae that include many destructive agricultural pests (as the cutworms and armyworms) see noctua , owlet moth compare bollworm, cotton leafworm, dagger moth, underwing

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Noctua, type genus + -idae

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Cite this Entry

“Noctuidae.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Noctuidae. Accessed 5 Nov. 2024.

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