Manduca sexta, also known as the tobacco hornworm, is a species of caterpillar commonly used in research related to insect physiology, behavior, and ecology. This research often focuses on topics such as insect development, molting, feeding behavior, and interactions with plant defenses. Manduca sexta is a model organism for studying insect physiology due to its large size, ease of rearing, and well-understood life cycle. Researchers use this species to gain insights into broader questions about insect biology and to inform pest management strategies in agriculture.