noctuid

noun

noc·​tu·​id ˈnäk-chə-wəd 

ˈnäk-tə-

: any of a large family (Noctuidae) of medium-sized often dull-colored moths with larvae (such as cutworms and armyworms) that are often destructive agricultural pests

noctuid adjective

Examples of noctuid in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

For example, skipper larvae have latches on their anal plates and can raise their blood pressure to expel solid pellets, while some noctuid (moth family) species kick away pellets with their thoracic legs. —Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, 28 Feb. 2023

Word History

Etymology

after New Latin Noctuidae, family name, derivative (with -idae -idae) of Noctua, genus name, going back to Latin noctua "the little owl (Athene noctua)," probably from feminine of *noctuus "of the night," derivative of noctū "at night," adverbial derivative of noct-, nox night entry 1

First Known Use

1873, in the meaning defined above