corn earworm

[ kawrn eer-wurm ]

noun

1. 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.

corn earworm

noun

1. the larva of the noctuid moth Heliothis armigera, which feeds on maize and many other crop plants See also bollworm

Word History and Origins

Origin of corn earworm¹

An Americanism first recorded in 1795–1805