1. an insect, disease, or chemical agent that causes leaves to fall from plants
Usage: biology; agriculture

Examples

• The gypsy moth is a notorious defoliator that can strip entire forests of their leaves.
• Farmers used pesticides to control the defoliator attacking their crops.
• The forest showed signs of damage from a bacterial defoliator.
• Scientists studied the life cycle of the invasive defoliator species.
• Chemical defoliators were banned due to environmental concerns.
• The caterpillar proved to be an effective defoliator of oak trees.