corn borer

noun

: any of several insects that bore in the stalks or ears of corn: such as
a
: an Old World moth (Ostrinia nubilalis) widespread in eastern and central North America where its larva is a major pest in the stems, crowns, and fruits of crop plants and especially corn

called also European corn borer

b
: a pyralid moth (Diatraea grandiosella) whose larva causes serious damage especially to corn crops by boring in the stalks

called also southwestern corn borer

Examples of corn borer in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Bt produces a protein that is deadly to a very narrow category of pests, including the corn borer worm. Andrew Curry, Discover Magazine, 13 Mar. 2013 Per the Guardian, the male corn borer moth copies the sounds of predatory bats, which stops the female moth cold and gives the male a moment to swoop in and mate with her. Alex Fox, Smithsonian Magazine, 3 Mar. 2021 Farmers with corn borers to control next year should plan to attend the plowing demonstration to be held on George and Leon Bailey farm on Thursday, September 24, at 1:30 p.m. Leon Bailey, the operator of the farm. Kitty Conley, Post-Tribune, 11 Sep. 2017

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'corn borer.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1853, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of corn borer was in 1853

Dictionary Entries Near corn borer

Cite this Entry

“Corn borer.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/corn%20borer. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

corn borer

noun
: any of several insects that bore in corn
especially : a moth whose larva is a major pest in the stems and fruits of crop plants and especially corn
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