bollworm
/ˈboʊlˌwɜrm/
noun
- A caterpillar that feeds on the bolls (seed pods) of cotton plants, causing damage to crops.
- Farmers sprayed the fields to protect the cotton from bollworm infestation.
- The bollworm is a major pest that can destroy an entire cotton harvest.
- Scientists developed a genetically modified cotton plant that resists bollworm damage.