noun
hornworm; hairless caterpillar
Refers to a caterpillar without prominent hairs, especially the larva of hawk moths (Sphingidae). Often used for the green, fleshy caterpillars found on plants like sweet potato or tomato.
See also: 雀蛾
庭のトマトに大きなイモムシがついていた。
There was a big hornworm on the tomato plant in the garden.
イモムシは毛のない幼虫のことを指
Imomushi refers to hairless caterpillars.
毛虫 (kemushi) refers to hairy caterpillars, while イモムシ (imomushi) refers to hairless ones.
Compound of 芋 (imo, 'potato, tuber') and 虫 (mushi, 'insect, worm'), from the caterpillar's resemblance to a potato or its association with tuber plants.