cankerworm
Leaf-devouring larva
A cankerworm is a caterpillar that feeds destructively on fruit and shade trees, especially in spring.
The larvae of certain moths, they move in characteristic looping motions and can defoliate trees when populations surge.
Figuratively, a cankerworm is anything that corrupts or destroys from within: Jealousy was the cankerworm eating at their friendship.
Moth or butterfly young
- inchwormLooping moth larva
- looperBody-arching larva or replay device
- larvaeImmature metamorphosing creatures
- grubFood or larva
pupa · chrysalis · molting · instar · larval · cocoon · hatchling · moth
Sudden eruption of trouble
- plagueDeadly epidemic disease
- swarmMass of moving insects
- invasionForcible entry into territory
- blightPlant disease causing decay
scourge · pestilence · overrun · epidemic · menace · nuisance · infestation · population explosion
Fruit tree plantation
- shade treePlant grown for canopy
- elmGenus Ulmus tree
- oakQuercus genus member
- mapleSap-yielding hardwood tree
apple · cherry · linden · ash · crop damage · garden · control · pesticide
Removing outer layers
- barenessLack of covering
- skeletonizingReducing to structural remains
- denudationRemoval of surface covering
- devastationSevere widespread destruction
dieback · depletion · exposure · weakening · susceptibility · recovery · regrowth
caterpillar
Moth or butterfly young
- inchwormLooping moth larva
- looperBody-arching larva or replay device
- larvaeImmature metamorphosing creatures
grub · pupa · chrysalis · molting · instar · larval · cocoon · hatchling · moth · butterfly
outbreak
Sudden eruption of trouble
blight · scourge · pestilence · overrun · epidemic · menace · nuisance · infestation · population explosion · cycle
orchard
Fruit tree plantation
- shade treePlant grown for canopy
- elmGenus Ulmus tree
- oakQuercus genus member
maple · apple · cherry · linden · ash · crop damage · garden · control · pesticide · spray
stripping
Removing outer layers
- barenessLack of covering
- skeletonizingReducing to structural remains
- denudationRemoval of surface covering
devastation · dieback · depletion · exposure · weakening · susceptibility · recovery · regrowth
- caterpillarscaterpillar, inchworm, silkworm, inchworms, hornworm
- larvaelarvae, larva, caterpillar, caterpillars, maggot
- tree pestsmountain pine beetle, beetles, gypsy moth, emerald ash borer, borers
- defoliatorsgypsy moth, tent caterpillar, inchworm, looper, bagworm
- geometer mothsGeometridae, inchworm, looper, spanworm, winter moth
- wormsearthworm, earthworms, nightcrawler, roundworms, flatworms
cankerwormpollinator
Pollen-transferring organism
beneficial insect · ladybug · honeybee · earthworm · lacewing