budworms
/ˈbʌdˌwɜːrmz/
noun
- Caterpillars that feed on the buds and leaves of plants, often considered pests in gardens and agriculture.
- We found budworms on the new shoots of our tomato plants.
- The gardener sprayed the roses to protect them from budworms.
- Budworms can destroy an entire crop of tobacco if not controlled early.