southwestern corn borer

noun

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

Word History

First Known Use

1943, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of southwestern corn borer was in 1943

Dictionary Entries Near southwestern corn borer

southwestern

southwestern corn borer

Southwesterner

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Cite this Entry

“Southwestern corn borer.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/southwestern%20corn%20borer. Accessed 24 Nov. 2024.

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