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The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 (gcide)

Dropworm \Drop"worm`\ (dr[o^]p"w[^u]rm`), n. (Zool.)
The larva of any geometrid moth, which drops from trees by
means of a thread of silk, as the {cankerworm} or {inchworm}.
See {inchworm} and {geometrid}.
[1913 Webster]


Cankerworm \Can"ker*worm`\, n. (Zool.)
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 larv[ae] are
also called cankerworms.
[1913 Webster]

Note: The autumnal species ({Anisopteryx pometaria}) becomes
adult late in autumn (after frosts) and in winter. The
spring species ({Anisopteryx vernata}) remains in the
ground through the winter, and matures in early spring.
Both have winged males and wingless females. The
larv[ae] are similar in appearance and habits, and
belong to the family of measuring worms or spanworms.
These larv[ae] hatch from the eggs when the leaves
begin to expand in spring.
[1913 Webster]


Caterpillar \Cat"er*pil`lar\, n. [OE. catyrpel, corrupted fr.
OF. chatepelouse, or cate pelue, fr. chate, F. chatte,
she-cat, fem. of chat, L. catus L. pilosus hairy, or F.
pelu hairy, fr. L. pilus hair. See {Cat}, and {Pile} hair.]
1. (Zool.) 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}.
[1913 Webster]

2. (Bot.) A plant of the genus {Scorpiurus}, with pods
resembling caterpillars.
[1913 Webster]

{Caterpillar catcher}, or {Caterpillar eater} (Zool.), a bird
belonging to the family of Shrikes, which feeds on
caterpillars. The name is also given to several other
birds.

{Caterpillar hunter} (Zool.), any species of beetles of the
genus {Callosoma} and other allied genera of the family
{Carabid[ae]} which feed habitually upon caterpillars.
[1913 Webster]