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
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For example, tomatoes grow well next to basil because basil's strong scent repels bugs that feed on tomatoes, such as tomato hornworms.
—
Madeline Buiano, Martha Stewart, 12 Mar. 2026
How to find tomato hornworms Actively feeding tomato hornworms leave behind a trail of biological waste called frass.
—Barbara Gillette, The Spruce, 9 Mar. 2026
Colorado potato beetles on your potatoes, a defoliated tomato branch (likely due to tomato hornworms), or some spotting on your zinnias are all easily visible.
—Andy Wilcox, Better Homes & Gardens, 11 Sep. 2025
As tomatoes grow tall and the yellow flowers slowly turn into small round tomatoes, another unexpected creature may appear: the tomato hornworm.
—Lauren David, Southern Living, 6 July 2025
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
These annuals bloom in mid-spring through late summer and deter aphids, whiteflies and tomato hornworms.
—Clarence Schmidt, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Apr. 2024
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Madeline Buiano, Martha Stewart, 12 Mar. 2026
How to find tomato hornworms Actively feeding tomato hornworms leave behind a trail of biological waste called frass.
—Barbara Gillette, The Spruce, 9 Mar. 2026
Colorado potato beetles on your potatoes, a defoliated tomato branch (likely due to tomato hornworms), or some spotting on your zinnias are all easily visible.
—Andy Wilcox, Better Homes & Gardens, 11 Sep. 2025
As tomatoes grow tall and the yellow flowers slowly turn into small round tomatoes, another unexpected creature may appear: the tomato hornworm.
—Lauren David, Southern Living, 6 July 2025
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
These annuals bloom in mid-spring through late summer and deter aphids, whiteflies and tomato hornworms.
—Clarence Schmidt, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Apr. 2024
Cite this Entry
“Tomato hornworm.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tomato%20hornworm. Accessed 21 Mar. 2026.
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