Manduca sexta
- noun
- /mænˈduːkə ˈsɛkstə/
- Specialized
:
oruga del tabaco
- The larvae of Manduca sexta are known for their voracious appetite for tobacco leaves.
Examples
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Farmers often notice Manduca sexta larvae in their fields.
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During spring, Manduca sexta larvae can be seen munching on the bright green tobacco leaves in fields.
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Gardeners often mistake Manduca sexta for the similar-looking tomato hornworm.
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Researchers use Manduca sexta as a model organism in studies of insect physiology.
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The Manduca sexta is often found on tobacco plants.
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The larvae of Manduca sexta primarily feed on tobacco plants, causing significant damage to the crops.
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Many gardeners are concerned when they find Manduca sexta in their gardens due to its appetite for tobacco leaves.
Synonyms
1
7.9
A large green caterpillar with a horn at its tail that eats tomato plants
A large green caterpillar with white stripes that eats tobacco and similar plants
A large green caterpillar with white stripes that eats tomato and tobacco plants
Surface Forms
Morphology
Manduca + sexta
This is a Latin binomial: knowing 'Manduca' as a genus of moths lets a learner infer the phrase names a species in that genus, so there is some compositional clue. However, 'sexta' is a Latin element not part of everyday English and the precise meaning 'large green larva / tobacco hornworm' is specialist knowledge that cannot be derived from the parts alone, making the expression only partially transparent to a B1 learner.
Etymology
Manduca sexta may come from Latin: Manduca from 'to chew' and sexta meaning 'sixth'. That image of a big 'chewing' larva makes it easy to remember that Manduca sexta is the green tobacco hornworm that eats tobacco and tomato leaves.