bollworm

[ bohl-wurm ]

noun

1. pink bollworm.
2. corn earworm.

bollworm

/ ˈbəʊlˌwɜːm /

noun

1. any of various moth caterpillars, such as Pectinophora (or Platyedra ) gossypiella ( pink bollworm ), that feed on and destroy cotton bolls

Word History and Origins

Origin of bollworm¹

An Americanism dating back to 1840–50; boll + worm

Example Sentences

But existing experimental permits already enable researchers to grow more than enough engineered Camelina to meet the current worldwide demand for pheromone control of diamondback moths and cotton bollworms, says Agenor Mafra-Neto, CEO of ISCA.

From Science Magazine

Department of Agriculture is seeking to enlist such techniques to eradicate an invasive diamondback moth in New York, which eats vegetable crops, and a cotton-munching pink bollworm in Arizona.

From Seattle Times

Kansas cotton is affected by bollworm, cotton fleahopper and the tarnished plant bug.

From Washington Times

Initially GM cotton, which confers resistance to bollworm pests, helped farmers decrease pesticide sprays.

From Salon

This gene causes the plant to make proteins that protect the crop from devastating bollworm caterpillars.

From Nature