corn earworm


noun

the larva of a cosmopolitan noctuid moth, Heliothis zea, that is highly destructive to crops, especially corn, cotton, and tomato.

Origin of corn earworm

An Americanism dating back to 1795–1805

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