Pl. tortrices. [mod.L. tortrix, -īcem, fem. of TORTOR, but taken in the literal sense ‘twister,’ in reference to the leaf-rolling habits of the larvæ.]

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  1.  Entom. A genus of moths, typical of the family Tortricidæ (see prec. a); a moth of this genus or family, a leaf-roller moth.

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1797.  Encycl. Brit. (ed. 3), XIV. 263/2. (Families of Moths) 5. The tortrices. The wings are exceeding obtuse, their exterior margin is curve, and declines towards the sides of the body.

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1819.  G. Samouelle, Entomol. Compend., 425. Tortrix Avellana. The hazel Tortrix.

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1834.  R. Mudie, Brit. Birds (1841), I. 347. The eggs and larvæ of the tortrices and other insects which they [tits] pick up.

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1909.  Daily News, 31 March, 5. The rook … preys largely on the larvæ and pupæ of the oak tortrix, a most destructive insect.

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  2.  Zool. A genus of snakes, also called Ilysia, including the coral-snake of Guiana, T. (I.) scytale.

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1843.  Penny Cycl., XXV. 79/2. Tortrix, Oppel’s name for a genus of serpents.

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1864.  in Webster.

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