leatherjack
/ˈlɛðərˌdʒæk/
noun
- The larva of a crane fly, which lives in soil and feeds on plant roots, often damaging lawns and crops.
- Leatherjackets can ruin a lawn if they are not controlled early in the season.
- The gardener found leatherjackets eating the roots of the grass.
- Birds often dig up the soil looking for leatherjackets to eat.