| corn earworm n. The large destructive larva of a moth (Heliothis zea) that feeds on corn and many other plants. Also called bollworm, earworm. |
ear·worm  (îr'wûrm')  n. See corn earworm. |
| Main Entry: | earworm1 |
| Part of Speech: | n |
| Definition: | a large destructive moth larva (Heliothis zea) that feeds on corn and other crops; also called corn earworm, bollworm, vetchworm; also written ear worm |
| Main Entry: | earworm2 |
| Part of Speech: | n |
| Definition: | a song or tune that gets stuck in one's mind and repeats as if on a tape; also written ear-worm, ear worm; also called cognitive itch, sticky tune |
| Example: | The song played in the grocery store became an earworm for her. |
| Etymology: | German ohrwurm |