They are commonly referred to as sphinx, hawk, or hummingbird moths. The adults are large moths, predominately gray or gray-brown with lighter markings. There is one generation per year in northern areas. A sheath for the mouthparts projects from the head of the pupa and curves downward, resembling the handle of a pitcher. Larvae of both species have a series of white stripes along their sides tobacco hornworms have black margins along the white stripes, while tomato hornworms have green margins along the white stripes.įull-grown larvae burrow 3-4 inches into the soil and form dark brown, two-inch long pupae. The horn of the tobacco hornworm is red, while the horn of the tomato hornworm is dark blue or black. Larvae are green with a distinct "horn" on the top of the tail end. The eggs hatch in approximately one week and larvae begin feeding on foliage.The larvae of both species feed for 3-4 weeks, molt five times, and may reach 4 inches in length and 1/2 inch in width when fully ground. The spherical greenish-yellow eggs of both species are deposited singly on the undersides of host plant leaves. There are two species of hornworm that feed on tomatos - tobacco hornworm ( Manduca sexta) and tomato hornworm ( Manduca quinquemaculata). Larvae consume large amounts of foliage on peppers, tomatoes, eggplant, potatoes, and related solanaceous weeds. These large caterpillars typically appear in small numbers and cause their impressive feeding damage to just a few leaves or plants. Late July and early August are usually the time when we see tomato hornworms.
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