What's the difference between
and
Enter two words to compare and contrast their definitions, origins, and synonyms to better understand how those words are related.

Caterpillar vs Cankerworm - What's the difference?

caterpillar | cankerworm |

As nouns the difference between caterpillar and cankerworm

is that caterpillar is the larva of a butterfly or moth; leafworm while cankerworm is either of two caterpillars, the larvae of geometrid moths, that are destructive to fruit, buds and leaves.

caterpillar

English

(wikipedia caterpillar)

Alternative forms

* caterpiller (archaic)

Noun

(en noun)
  • The larva of a butterfly or moth; leafworm.
    • The bird just ate that green caterpillar .
  • A vehicle with a caterpillar track; a crawler.
    • Synonyms
    * (moth or butterfly larva)
    Derived terms
    * caterpillar catcher * caterpillar eater * caterpillar hunter * caterpillar track * tent caterpillar

    See also

    * pillar

    cankerworm

    English

    (wikipedia cankerworm)

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • Either of two caterpillars, the larvae of geometrid moths, that are destructive to fruit, buds and leaves.
  • (figurative) A corrupting or destructive force.
  • *1596 , (Edmund Spenser), The Faerie Queene , IV.2:
  • *:O cursed Eld the cankerworme of writs, / How may these rimes, so rude as doth appeare, / Hope to endure, sith workes of heauenly wits / Are quite deuourd, and brought to nought by little bits?