corn borer

American  

noun

1. any of several pyralid moths, as Pyrausta (ostrinia ) nubilalis European corn borer, the larvae of which bore into the stem and crown of corn and other plants.

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corn borer British  

noun

1. the larva of the pyralid moth Pyrausta nubilalis, native to S and Central Europe: in E North America a serious pest of maize

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Etymology

Origin of corn borer

First recorded in 1915–20

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

corn borer

In 1996, U.S. regulators approved corn that was genetically engineered to produce bug-killing proteins, accomplished by inserting a bacterium hostile to the corn borer insect into the plant genome.

From Reuters ● Sep. 27, 2017

Only one gene-altered crop is being cultivated commercially in Europe: MON 810, a grain modified to protect against a pest known as the European corn borer.

From New York Times ● Feb. 11, 2014

Farmers in the U.S. have been growing Bt corn designed to slay the European corn borer for 17 years without any evidence of resistance whatsoever.

From Scientific American ● Sep. 3, 2013

MON810 produces a toxin that protects it from the European corn borer.

From Science Magazine ● May 22, 2012

Since that time 24 species of parasites of the corn borer have been brought in from Europe and the Orient at considerable expense.

From "Silent Spring" by Rachel Carson