A very hungry caterpillar: Researchers sequence genome of ‘gluttonous’ tobacco hornworm

The genome of the tobacco hornworm — an important model of insect biology — has now been sequenced by a team of researchers. The sequenced genome can lead to improved molecular biology, physiology and neurobiology research in insects and also may help in developing future new methods for insect pest management. The tobacco hornworm is a good model species because of its large size — the caterpillar can measure up to 4 inches long — making it easy to collect tissue samples.