tortrix Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun California moth whose larvae live in especially oranges
    Argyrotaenia citrana; orange tortrix.
  2. noun small Indian moth infesting e.g. tea and coffee plants
    tea tortrix; Homona coffearia.

WordNet

Tor"trix noun
Etymology
NL., fr. L. torquere, tortum, to twist.
Definitions
  1. (Zoöl.) Any one of numerous species of small moths of the family Tortricidæ, the larvæ of which usually roll up the leaves of plants on which they live; -- also called leaf roller.
  2. (Zoöl.) A genus of tropical short-tailed snakes, which are not venomous. One species (Tortrix scytalæ) is handsomely banded with black, and is sometimes worn alive by the natives of Brazil for a necklace.

Webster 1913