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noctuid

(näk′to̵̅o̅ id, -tyo̵̅o̅-)

noun

any of a large family (Noctuidae) of mostly dull-colored moths which fly at night and are attracted to lights, including underwing moths and others with very destructive larvae, as cutworms or army worms

Origin: < ModL Noctuidae < L noctua, night owl < nox (gen. noctis), night

See noctuid in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun

Any of numerous, usually dull-colored night-flying moths of the family Noctuidae, having a well-developed proboscis for sucking nectar and larvae such as the cutworms and armyworms that are destructive to young trees and other crops. Also called owlet moth.

adjective

Of, relating to, or belonging to the family Noctuidae.

Origin:

Origin: From New Latin Noctuidae, family name

Origin: , from Noctua, type genus

Origin: , from Latin noctua, night owl; see nek^w-t- in Indo-European roots

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