Definition

Noun: * Tomato fruitworm: The larval stage of a noctuid moth (Helicoverpa zea), an agricultural pest known for causing severe damage to crops, particularly corn, cotton, and tomatoes.

Usage

• The tomato fruitworm is a major concern for farmers, as it burrows into fruits and ears.
• Scouting fields early is essential to detect tomato fruitworm infestations before they cause significant yield loss.
• This pest, commonly called the tomato fruitworm, is also known as the corn earworm when found on corn.

Advanced Usage

• In integrated pest management (IPM), monitoring for tomato fruitworm eggs on leaves is a key strategy.
• The economic threshold for tomato fruitworm varies depending on the crop and its growth stage.

Variants and Related Words

• Corn earworm (n): A common name for the same insect () when its primary host is corn.
• Cotton bollworm (n): A common name for the same insect () when its primary host is cotton.
• Helicoverpa zea (n): The scientific name for the species.
• Larva (n): The immature, wingless, and often wormlike feeding stage of an insect that undergoes complete metamorphosis.

Synonyms

• Corn earworm
• Cotton bollworm
• Heliothis zea (an older scientific name)

Related Phrases

• Fruitworm damage: The specific injury caused by the larva feeding inside the fruit.
• Noctuid moth: The family of moths (Noctuidae) to which the adult stage of this insect belongs.

Noun

1. larva of a noctuid moth; highly destructive to especially corn and cotton and tomato crops