It is hard to see the larvae as they blend into the canopy, and consequently go undetected until damage has already been done. The larva/caterpillars damage plants by feeding on the upper surface of leaves, leaving behind black or dark green droppings. There are a few solonaceaus weeds that hornworms can be found on including: jimsonweed, horse nettle, and nightshade. This can comprise of eggplant, peppers, potatoes, and most commonly, tobacco and tomatoes. Hornworm insects only feed on plants in the solanaceous family.
The hornworm larvae/ caterpillars are pale green with black and white markings on them. The eggs are smooth, oval, and yellow to light green in colour. If there are still hornworms in the pupae stage, they will remain their all winter and emerge the following spring. Throughout the summer months, moths will start to emerge from the pupae stage, mate, and begin laying the next generation of eggs on host plants. At this point the fully-grown larvae drop off the plant and burrow into the soil to pupate, also known as completing their metamorphosis process to become a moth. It takes about 3 to 4 weeks for the caterpillar to reach the final instar stage and full maturity. During the larvae/ caterpillar stage, hornworms undergo 5 to 6 instar or molting stages. That being said, a large number can spontaneously appear in home gardens.ĭuring late spring the eggs of hornworms are deposited on both the upper and lower surfaces of host plants leaves, taking 6 to 8 days to hatch after being laid. This particular insect does not usually reach economical damaging levels in crop fields. Hornworms can be found throughout North America.
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