European corn borer

European corn borer Word Origin noun

1. See under corn borer.

Origin of European corn borer An Americanism dating back to 1915–20 corn borer noun

1. any of several pyralid moths, as Pyrausta (ostrinia) nubilalis (European corn borer), the larvae of which bore into the stem and crown of corn and other plants.

Origin of corn borer First recorded in 1915–20 British Dictionary definitions for european corn borer corn borer noun

1. the larva of the pyralid moth Pyrausta nubilalis, native to S and Central Europe: in E North America a serious pest of maize