Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

stalk borer

noun

Definition of stalk borer 

: an insect larva that bores in the stems of plants especially : the larva of a noctuid moth (Papaipema nebris) that infests the raspberry, strawberry, tomato, aster, and other plants

Love words?

You must — there are over 200,000 words in our free online dictionary, but you are looking for one that’s only in the Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary.

Start your free trial today and get unlimited access to America's largest dictionary, with:

  • More than 250,000 words that aren't in our free dictionary
  • Expanded definitions, etymologies, and usage notes
  • Advanced search features
  • Ad free!

Learn More about stalk borer

Share stalk borer

Resources for stalk borer

Cite Time Traveler Time Traveler! Explore the year a word first appeared

Dictionary Entries near stalk borer

Stalinism

stalk

stalkable

stalk borer

stalk cell

stalk-cutter

stalk disease

Statistics for stalk borer

Look-up Popularity

Comments on stalk borer

What made you want to look up stalk borer? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

Show Comments  Hide Comments 

WORD OF THE DAY

superjacent

lying above or upon

Get Word of the Day daily email!

Test Your Vocabulary

Words from Greek and Roman Mythology Quiz

  • the-triumph-of-venus-by-alessandro-magnasco
  • Boreal comes from the name of the ancient Greek god of which wind?
Spell It

Can you spell these 10 commonly misspelled words?

TAKE THE QUIZ
Citation

Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games