corn earworm
[ kawrn-eer-wurm ]
noun
the larva of either of the noctuid moths Helicoverpa zea or H. armigera, both of which are widely distributed and highly destructive to crops, especially corn, cotton, and tomato.
Origin of corn earworm
1An Americanism first recorded in 1795–1805
- Also called earworm, bollworm, cotton bollworm, tomato fruitworm.
Words Nearby corn earworm
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
British Dictionary definitions for corn earworm
corn earworm
noun
US the larva of the noctuid moth Heliothis armigera, which feeds on maize and many other crop plants: See also bollworm
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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