bollworm

[ bohl-wurm ]

noun

1. pink bollworm.
2. corn earworm.

bollworm

/ ˈbəʊlˌwɜːm /

noun

1. any of various moth caterpillars, such as Pectinophora (or Platyedra ) gossypiella ( pink bollworm ), that feed on and destroy cotton bolls

Word History and Origins

Origin of bollworm¹

An Americanism dating back to 1840–50; boll + worm

Example Sentences

The cotton crop of the country is threatened with root rot, the bollworm, and the boll weevil.

From Project Gutenberg