any nocturnal moth of the family Noctuidae: includes the underwings and antler moth
See also cutworm, armyworm
adjective
2.
of, relating to, or belonging to the Noctuidae
Word origin
C19: via New Latin from Latin noctua night owl, from nox night
noctuid in American English
(ˈnɑktuɪd; ˈnɑktjuɪd)
noun
any of a large family (Noctuidae) of mostly dull-colored moths which fly at night and are attracted to lights, including underwing moths and others with very destructive larvae, as cutworms or army worms
Word origin
< ModL Noctuidae < L noctua, night owl < nox (gen. noctis), night