silk moth

noun

1
: the common silkworm (Bombyx mori)
2
: saturniid
especially : one (such as the cecropia moth) that produces a cocoon of silk

Examples of silk moth in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web But Mothra, named after a kaiju monster inspired by silk moths, is just the latest in a recent string of oldest-ever, farthest-ever, just generally superlative star systems astronomers have found in images from JWST and the Hubble Space Telescope. Joshua Sokol, Quanta Magazine, 29 Aug. 2023 The concentric circles or eyespots on butterfly and moth wings—like those seen on this Suraka silk moth—not only look like real eyes but may also appear to glare directly at predators from many directions, scientists have found. Maddie Bender, Scientific American, 1 Jan. 2023 His lab, which usually studies cocoon construction by silk moth caterpillars, began researching which fabrics are most effective for frontline workers to double mask with in order to preserve their respirators, as well as which fabrics make effective reusable face masks for the general public. Zoe Malin, NBC News, 9 Apr. 2021 After analyzing nearly 800 traits of these moths, the scientists created a detailed family tree that helped map the evolution of silk moth wings. Charles Choi, Discover Magazine, 5 July 2018 The silkworm is the larva of Bombyx mori, the domestic silk moth. Shi En Kim, Smithsonian Magazine, 19 July 2021 They were introduced to the US in the late 19th century by a French scientist, Étienne Léopold Trouvelot, who wanted to breed a new species of silk moth in Massachusetts, according to the US Department of Agriculture. Keely Aouga and Evan Simko-Bednarski, CNN, 4 July 2021 The main body of material in the 336-page book focuses on individual species, from swallowtails to silk moths. Sally Peterson, oregonlive, 9 Dec. 2019 Working with three species of silk moths—luna, African moon, and polyphemus—Rubin shortened or cut off some of their hindwings and glued longer or differently shaped tails to others. Elizabeth Pennisi, Science | AAAS, 4 July 2018

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'silk moth.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1772, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of silk moth was in 1772

Dictionary Entries Near silk moth

Cite this Entry

“Silk moth.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/silk%20moth. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

silk moth

noun
: the silkworm moth
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