noun
- large green caterpillars with a horn-like projection on their rear end, especially those that feed on tomato and tobacco plants
Usage: entomology; gardening
Examples
- The gardener found several hornworms eating the tomato leaves.
- Hornworms can quickly defoliate an entire tomato plant if left unchecked.
- The distinctive horn at the back makes hornworms easy to identify.
- Many gardeners hand-pick hornworms from their plants rather than using pesticides.
- Hornworms eventually transform into large sphinx moths.
- The green coloration of hornworms provides excellent camouflage among plant leaves.