corn earworm
noun
corn ear·worm
-ˈir-ˌwərm 
: a noctuid moth (Helicoverpa zea synonym Heliothis zea) whose large striped yellow-headed larva is especially destructive to corn, tomatoes, tobacco, and cotton bolls
Examples of corn earworm in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Pests Sweet corn is commonly susceptible to pests such as corn earworms, flea beetles, and European corn borers.
—
Sj McShane, Martha Stewart, 3 Apr. 2026
The corn earworm, which typically feeds on kernels near the tip of the ear, may have three generations per year.
—Rita Pelczar, Better Homes & Gardens, 24 Feb. 2026
Plus, the tomato fruitworm (also known as the corn earworm) likes to feed on both these veggies.
—Gemma Johnstone, The Spruce, 4 Feb. 2026
Farmers in Jenkins County, like many farmers, face numerous insect infestations, including stink bugs, cotton bollworms, corn earworms, tarnished plant bugs and aphids.
—Atin Adhikari, The Conversation, 23 Sep. 2025
In addition to attracting predators of aphids, cilantro (and dill) support parotoids, including non-stinging wasps and tachinid flies, which attack caterpillar pests of beans such as corn earworm.
—Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 4 Apr. 2025
The corn earworm that ruined last year's harvest is back and so is the sap beetle.
—John Frank, Axios, 11 Aug. 2024
Beyond limiting the number of disease-carrying, skin-irritating mosquitoes, bats eat the insect pests that damage our crops, such as corn earworms.
—Benji Jones, Vox, 19 June 2024
Prevent corn earworms by depositing a little mineral oil in the silks five days after silks appear and begin to turn brown.
—Joshua Siskin, Orange County Register, 25 May 2024
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Sj McShane, Martha Stewart, 3 Apr. 2026
The corn earworm, which typically feeds on kernels near the tip of the ear, may have three generations per year.
—Rita Pelczar, Better Homes & Gardens, 24 Feb. 2026
Plus, the tomato fruitworm (also known as the corn earworm) likes to feed on both these veggies.
—Gemma Johnstone, The Spruce, 4 Feb. 2026
Farmers in Jenkins County, like many farmers, face numerous insect infestations, including stink bugs, cotton bollworms, corn earworms, tarnished plant bugs and aphids.
—Atin Adhikari, The Conversation, 23 Sep. 2025
In addition to attracting predators of aphids, cilantro (and dill) support parotoids, including non-stinging wasps and tachinid flies, which attack caterpillar pests of beans such as corn earworm.
—Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 4 Apr. 2025
The corn earworm that ruined last year's harvest is back and so is the sap beetle.
—John Frank, Axios, 11 Aug. 2024
Beyond limiting the number of disease-carrying, skin-irritating mosquitoes, bats eat the insect pests that damage our crops, such as corn earworms.
—Benji Jones, Vox, 19 June 2024
Prevent corn earworms by depositing a little mineral oil in the silks five days after silks appear and begin to turn brown.
—Joshua Siskin, Orange County Register, 25 May 2024
Cite this Entry
“Corn earworm.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/corn%20earworm. Accessed 7 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
corn earworm
noun
corn ear·worm
-ˈi(ə)r-ˌwərm
: a moth whose striped yellow-headed larva is especially destructive to ears of corn
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