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

There was a spot out beyond my boat dock, no more than a city block offshore, where a goldenrod grub or a corn borer lowered through a hole in the ice into the dark water at the end of a nylon line was as sure to get results as a saucer of cream set in front of a hungry cat. —Wilson H. Stover, Outdoor Life, 5 Dec. 2024

Meanwhile, researchers want to expand the use of RNA pesticides to lepidopterans, which include major moth pests such as corn borers and the fall armyworm. —Byerik Stokstad, science.org, 27 June 2024

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

Word History

First Known Use

1853, in the meaning defined above

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