Tobacco Hornworm

Tobacco and Tomato Hornworms are beautiful native moths belonging to the Sphynx (Hawk) Moth family, Sphingidae. We don’t often see sphynx moths because most are night flyers. Their undulating markings and color patterns allow them to blend with tree bark where they commonly rest during the day.

At some point along the gardening learning curve, most backyard vegetable gardeners will confront a head-scratching tomato conundrum. Leaves are eaten and green fruit is nibbled high up on the plants. Tiny, black droppings litter the leaves and ground. A thorough search of the plants yields no culprits. Tiny flying rabbits?

While watering the two tomato plants in my great expectations garden, I noticed a few missing leaves and some black, barrel-shaped frass (insect excrement) beneath the plants. Certain I'd quickly find the hornworm culprits, I looked, and looked, and … I'm always amazed at how well these large caterpillars can remain hidden from our probing eyes!