gypsy moth
noun
plural gypsy moths
offensive
: spongy moth
Note: The Entomological Society of America officially renamed this insect the spongy moth in 2022 due to the offensiveness of the historical name.
see usage paragraph at gypsyExamples of gypsy moth in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
One of the biggest sources of stress and damage is defoliation of oaks and other trees by the spongy moth (formerly called the gypsy moth).
—
Richard S. Ostfeld, STAT, 31 July 2023
These insects, formerly called gypsy moths, are poised for another year of damage in certain parts of the U.S..
—Arricca Elin Sansone, Country Living, 14 June 2023
Will the gypsy moth kill my trees?
—Arricca Elin Sansone, Country Living, 6 July 2021
Previously called the gypsy moth, the Entomological Society of America changed the name to remove the derogatory term for the Romani people.
—Sarah Bowman, The Indianapolis Star, 19 Sep. 2022
Dogs have also been used to find seals on ice, gas leaks and the presence of gypsy moth egg sacks.
—Ned Rozell, Anchorage Daily News, 11 June 2022
The moth, which was previously known as the gypsy moth, is one reason Wisconsin has rules against transporting firewood.
—Chelsey Lewis, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 12 May 2022
The Entomological Society of America announced this week that the spongy moth as the new common name for the invasive species formerly known as the gypsy moth.
—Leada Gore | Lgore@al.com, al, 4 Mar. 2022
At the time of the last major outbreak, a fungus significantly decreased the gypsy moth population.
—From Usa Today Network and Wire Reports, USA TODAY, 14 June 2021
Richard S. Ostfeld, STAT, 31 July 2023
These insects, formerly called gypsy moths, are poised for another year of damage in certain parts of the U.S..
—Arricca Elin Sansone, Country Living, 14 June 2023
Will the gypsy moth kill my trees?
—Arricca Elin Sansone, Country Living, 6 July 2021
Previously called the gypsy moth, the Entomological Society of America changed the name to remove the derogatory term for the Romani people.
—Sarah Bowman, The Indianapolis Star, 19 Sep. 2022
Dogs have also been used to find seals on ice, gas leaks and the presence of gypsy moth egg sacks.
—Ned Rozell, Anchorage Daily News, 11 June 2022
The moth, which was previously known as the gypsy moth, is one reason Wisconsin has rules against transporting firewood.
—Chelsey Lewis, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 12 May 2022
The Entomological Society of America announced this week that the spongy moth as the new common name for the invasive species formerly known as the gypsy moth.
—Leada Gore | Lgore@al.com, al, 4 Mar. 2022
At the time of the last major outbreak, a fungus significantly decreased the gypsy moth population.
—From Usa Today Network and Wire Reports, USA TODAY, 14 June 2021
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'gypsy moth.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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“Gypsy moth.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gypsy%20moth. Accessed 19 Apr. 2024.
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