Tomato hornworms, also known as Manduca quinquemaculata, are large, visible caterpillars that can be a major pest in gardens and orchards. They are pale green with white and black markings, plus a horn-like protrusion stemming from their rear. They are known for feeding on the leaves of tomato, pepper, or eggplant plants, and lay pearl-like eggs from which the larvae hatch.
Tomato hornworms are often difficult to spot due to their green appearance. However, their droppings (frass) can serve as a clue to their identification. Many gardeners spy caterpillar frass before they eat them. Tomato hornworm caterpillars are hard to mistake for any other insect, and young caterpillars look similar to full-grown ones. Adults are large, heavy-bodied insects with narrow front wings, while small caterpillars are yellow to white with no markings. Large caterpillars develop eight white, V-shaped marks on each side.
Tomato hornworms are not stingless, but they can cause significant damage to your vegetable garden. They are typically 3-4 inches long and have a black or red horn projecting from the rear. As they grow, they develop eight white “v-shaped” markings on the sides of their body, helping them camouflage into the tomato foliage.
When you find a caterpillar on a tomato plant, don’t panic. Here, you’ll learn how to control these pest caterpillars and learn how to control them effectively. Both tomato and tobacco hornworms are nearly indistinguishable at first glance, but they are well-camouflaged and blend in almost invisibly with the color of the foliage.
| Article | Description | Site |
|---|---|---|
| Tomato hornworms in home gardens | Small tomato hornworms are yellow to white in color with no markings. Large caterpillars develop eight white, V-shaped marks on each side. Tomato hornworms have … | extension.umn.edu |
| Don’t Kill That Tomato Hormworm!! | Tomato Hornworms are really big green alien-like caterpillars that can munch through and devastate your vegetable garden. | thegardendiaries.blog |
| What does the tomato hornworms larvae look like? | The tomato hornworm has black and white V-shaped markings and a black horn at the end. If they reach adulthood, they would become a hawk moth … | quora.com |
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