hornworm

[ hawrn-wurm ]

noun

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of hornworm¹

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

Example Sentences

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

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

From Salon

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

From Scientific American

Although the hornworm is a voracious eater that can strip a tomato plant in a matter of days, it is, in fact, harmless to humans.

From Scientific American

The same basic mechanisms that spread fear about the tomato hornworm have now intensified—and, in some cases, led to—a profound public mistrust of basic societal institutions.

From Scientific American