The larva of various moths and insects that feed on plant buds, causing damage to flowering and fruiting plants.
From bud + worm (Old English 'wyrm'). A descriptive compound term naming the pest by what it eats, in the tradition of 'bookworm' and 'silkworm.'
Budworms are tiny terrorists to farmers—a single caterpillar can destroy hundreds of dollars in potential fruit by eating buds, which is why integrated pest management became an agricultural necessity!
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