Defoliator: meaning, definitions and examples
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defoliator
[ ˌdɛfəˈleɪətər ]
agriculture pest
A defoliator is an organism, usually an insect, that feeds on and removes the foliage from plants or trees. This feeding can have significant impacts on the plant, as leaves are essential for photosynthesis. When a plant loses its leaves, it may struggle to survive, especially if defoliation occurs over an extended period or affects a large portion of its leaves. Defoliators are often considered pests in agricultural settings because they can lead to reduced crop yields and overall plant health. Understanding the behavior and lifecycle of defoliators is important for effective pest management.
Synonyms
Examples of usage
- The farmer took measures to control the defoliators attacking his crops.
- Defoliators can devastate forests if not kept in check.
- The caterpillar is one of the most common defoliators found in the garden.
- Monitoring for defoliators is crucial during the growing season.
Translations
Translations of the word "defoliator" in other languages:
🇵🇹 defoliante
🇮🇳 पत्ते हटाने वाला
🇩🇪 Entblätterer
🇮🇩 defoliasi
🇺🇦 дефоліатор
🇵🇱 defoliator
🇯🇵 除葉剤
🇫🇷 défoliant
🇪🇸 defoliante
🇹🇷 defolyan
🇰🇷 탈잎제
🇸🇦 مزيل الأوراق
🇨🇿 defoliátor
🇸🇰 defoliátor
🇨🇳 去叶剂
🇸🇮 defoliator
🇮🇸 blöðufallari
🇰🇿 жапырақтанушы
🇬🇪 ფოთლების მოცილებელი
🇦🇿 yarpaqların çıxarılması
🇲🇽 defoliante
Etymology
The term 'defoliator' is derived from the prefix 'de-' meaning removal or reversal, and the root 'foliator' from the Latin word 'folium', which means leaf. The word started appearing in agricultural literature in the early 20th century, specifically in reference to insects and other organisms that feed on leaves. Over time, the term has been adopted in broader ecological discussions about plant health and pest management. As agriculture evolved, especially with the advent of industrial farming practices, understanding the impact of defoliators became increasingly crucial. Both chemical and biological control measures have been developed to manage these pests, highlighting their importance in both natural ecosystems and cultivated environments.