The phrase "corn earworm" refers to a kind of insect that feeds on corn crops. It is called an earworm because it has a habit of burrowing into the ears of corn to eat the kernels. Full definition
In the U.S., bats help significantly to cut down on the population of an insect called the «corn earworm moth,» which is known for damaging a number of commercial crops. (wellnessmama.com)
Field - evolved resistance in corn earworm to Cry proteins expressed by transgenic sweet corn. (sciencenews.org)
The researchers analyzed volatiles emitted by tobacco, cotton, and corn plants while they were eaten by tobacco budworms and by corn earworms, which the wasps don't parasitize. (sciencemag.org)