Tent caterpillar Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun the larvae of moths that build and live in communal silken webs in orchard and shade trees

WordNet

Definitions
  1. (Zoöl.), any one of several species of gregarious caterpillars which construct on trees large silken webs into which they retreat when at rest. Some of the species are very destructive to fruit trees. The most common American species is the larva of a bombycid moth (Clisiocampa Americana). Called also lackery caterpillar, and webworm.

Webster 1913