jointworm

[ joint-wurm ]
/ ˈdʒɔɪntˌwɜrm /

noun

the larva of any of several chalcid flies of the family Eurytomidae, especially of the genus Harmolita, that feeds within the stems of grasses, often causing a gall near the first joint.
Also called strawworm.

Origin of jointworm

First recorded in 1700–10; joint + worm

Words nearby jointworm

jointer plane, jointless, jointly, jointress, jointure, jointworm, joinvile, joinville, joist, jojoba, jokai

British Dictionary definitions for jointworm

jointworm
/ (ˈdʒɔɪntˌwɜːm) /

noun

US the larva of chalcid flies of the genus Harmolita, esp H. tritici, which form galls on the stems of cereal plants