tobacco budworm

American  

[tuh-bak-oh buhd-wurm] / təˈbæk oʊ ˈbʌdˌwɜrm /

noun

1. the larva of the noctuid moth Chloridea virescens, noted especially for damaging the buds and young leaves of tobacco, but also similarly destructive to cotton, legumes, and various fruits and vegetables.

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Etymology

Origin of tobacco budworm

First recorded in 1915–20

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

tobacco budworm

The EPA has recently approved the use of a viral insecticide for use against the cotton bollworm and tobacco budworm.

From Time Magazine Archive