Often the largest caterpillars seen in vegetable gardens – up to four inches long. Horn or thorn at rear end. Adult moths have wingspan up to five inches.
Category
Insect
Signs/Symptoms
Hornworms feed on blossoms, leaves, and fruit. At high populations they can extensively defoliate plants and scar the fruit. Striping pattern makes them hard to spot despite their size. Large, black, or green droppings on the ground beneath tomato plants usually indicate the presence of hornworms.
Where
Hornworms feed on blossoms, leaves, and fruit. Entire leaves and small stems may be consumed. Large pieces from green fruit may also be chewed.
When
Damage by hornworm larvae is usually most common in midsummer, but there may also be a small population peak of larvae in the late summer.
Prevent
Rototilling after harvest destroys pupae in soil and prevents adults from developing.
Manage
Handpick or snip hornworms with shears. Natural enemies normally keep populations under control.
More Information
Learn more about tomato hornworms.