bollworm

/ˈboʊlˌwʌrm/

Other forms: bollworms

Definitions of bollworm

1. noun

   any of various moth caterpillars that destroy cotton bolls
   types:

   Gelechia gossypiella, pink bollworm

   larvae of a gelechiid moth introduced from Asia; feeds on the seeds of cotton bolls

   Heliothis zia, corn earworm, cotton bollworm, earworm, tobacco budworm, tomato fruitworm, vetchworm

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

   type of:

   caterpillar

   a wormlike and often brightly colored and hairy or spiny larva of a butterfly or moth