The Tobacco Hornworm grows to about 3.5 inches long. This large, chunky caterpillar is green or brown with 7 oblique white lines above the abdominal spiracles. The spiracles are pinkish, with black “pupils” in the center and are edged with black and white narrow rings (photo D). The horn is pink, orange or red and is slightly curved. The similar looking Tomato Hornworm (M. quinquemaculata) has 8 oblique white lines and the horn is either black, blue or green. The adult moth, known as the Carolina Sphinx (up to 4.75 inch wingspan) is brown with long pointed forewings and short hindwings with 3 whitish stripes. It usually has 6 large orange spots on the abdomen.
The frequency of occurrence is not known. This caterpillar was photographed at Fontenelle Forest in early October. Adults fly from May to October.
The larval foodplants are ground cherry, horse-nettle, nightshade, tobacco, tomato and other members of the nightshade family (Solanaceae). In addition to leaves, they also eat green fruit, flowers and terminal shoots. The larva matures in about 20 days. These caterpillars are often parasitized by a braconid wasp (Cotesia congregata) that lays dozens of eggs inside of each larva. When mature, the wasp larva tunnels to the outside of the caterpillar’s body and spins a white cocoon on the surface (“Caterpillars of Eastern North America,” David L. Wagner).
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