hornworm

American  

[hawrn-wurm] / ˈhɔrnˌwɜrm /

noun

1. the larva of any of several hawk moths, having a hornlike process at the rear of the abdomen.

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Etymology

Origin of hornworm

An Americanism dating back to 1670–80; horn + worm

Example Sentences

You can also encourage predatory insects such as the parasitic wasp that will eat the tomato hornworm.

From Salon • Aug. 8, 2021

Garden pests are often highly specialized and named after their favorite food: cabbageworm, corn earworm, tomato hornworm, Colorado potato beetle, cucumber beetle, pea weevil, pepper maggot, Mexican bean beetle, and so on.

From Salon • Aug. 8, 2021

But as with the tomato hornworm, these efforts to disseminate truth did not change how the rumors spread.

From Scientific American • Sep. 3, 2019

This appearance of the tomato hornworm was followed by terrifying reports of fatal poisonings and aggressive behavior toward people.

From Scientific American • Sep. 3, 2019

Encouraging results have been obtained with the Hessian fly and the tobacco hornworm.

From "Silent Spring" by Rachel Carson