corn earworm
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Noun:
- A destructive insect larva: The corn earworm is the larval stage of a noctuid moth (Helicoverpa zea). It is a significant agricultural pest known for causing severe damage, particularly to corn, cotton, and tomato crops. The larvae bore into the fruits, ears, or bolls of these plants.
Usage Examples
- Noun:
- Farmers are monitoring their fields closely for signs of the corn earworm.
- The corn earworm can devastate a tomato harvest if left uncontrolled.
- This pesticide is effective against the corn earworm in cotton.
Advanced Usage
- Scientific context: In entomology, the term is used precisely to refer to this specific species, which may also be called the "tomato fruitworm" or "cotton bollworm" depending on the host crop.
- The study focused on the migration patterns of the corn earworm, Helicoverpa zea.
Variants and Related Words
- Helicoverpa zea (n): The scientific name for the moth species whose larva is the corn earworm.
- Tomato fruitworm (n): A common name for the same larva when it infests tomato plants.
- Cotton bollworm (n): A common name for the same larva when it infests cotton plants.
- Noctuid moth (n): The family of moths (Noctuidae) to which this pest belongs.
Synonyms
- Larva (n): The immature, wingless, feeding stage of an insect.
- Agricultural pest (n): An organism that damages crops.
- Caterpillar (n): The larval form of a butterfly or moth (a more general term).
Related Phrases
- Earworm infestation (n): A situation where a crop is heavily affected by these larvae.
- The field suffered from a severe earworm infestation this season.
- Earworm damage (n): The harm caused to plants by this pest.
- Inspecting for earworm damage should be done weekly.
Noun
- larva of a noctuid moth; highly destructive to especially corn and cotton and tomato crops