joint-worm

The rogue had heard but the merest outline, and paid no attention to that; but he made a 'sight draught' upon his inventive talents, and - adding to the rides, 'moonlight walks, afternoon strolls to the tobacco patch, and along the road toward the big gate to see whether the joint-worm was in the wheat,' and insinuations that these excursions

Marion Harland's autobiography : the story of a long life, 1910

The joint-worm, a new enemy of three year's known existence there, has injured every crop, and destroyed many in that and other counties both sides and along the Blue Ridge.

The slave trade, domestic and foreign Why It Exists, and How It May Be Extinguished 1836