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tomato hornworm
noun
: a North American hawk moth (Manduca quinquemaculata) whose green larva is a hornworm feeding on leaves of plants of the nightshade family and especially tobacco and tomato
Examples of tomato hornworm in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The blooms also attract the parasitoid wasp that lays its eggs on tomato hornworms.
—Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 28 June 2024
Fortunately, tomato hornworms can be easily plucked off a plant and dropped into soapy water to kill them.
—Kylie Martin, Detroit Free Press, 21 June 2024
On the pedestal and swarmed by blue tomato hornworms, a mix of the Neapolitan purveyors Sabatino Abagnale’s Miracolo di San Gennaro tomatoes and Pasquale Imperato’s Pomodorini del Piennolo del Vesuvio, imported by Gustiamo in the Bronx.Credit...Photograph by Anthony Cotsifas.
—Ligaya Mishan Anthony Cotsifas Emily Woo Zeller Tanya Pérez Quinton Kamara, New York Times, 13 May 2024
Even better, these heat-loving annuals are known for repelling both tiny pests (like whiteflies, tomato hornworms, cabbage worms, and thrips) and large pests (like deer).
—Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 18 Apr. 2024
If possible, hand-pick pests such as tomato hornworms, in your vegetable garden.
—Arricca Elin Sansone, Country Living, 31 July 2023
White, green and yellow striped tomato hornworms are the caterpillars of sphinx moths!
—Nan Sterman, San Diego Union-Tribune, 1 July 2023
East of Cascades: Check for tomato hornworm.
—oregonlive, 1 Aug. 2022
What is a tomato hornworm?
—Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 30 June 2022
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Word History
First Known Use
1921, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near tomato hornworm
Cite this Entry
“Tomato hornworm.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tomato%20hornworm. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.
More from Merriam-Webster on tomato hornworm
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about tomato hornworm
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