Comments on: Tobacco Hornworm

By: Linda

Linda — Wed, 10 Aug 2011 10:28:37 +0000

I happen to fall into that category of gardeners who don’t mind the nightshade-eating Manduca hornworms. While one can do some damage to a young plant, here in central Oklahoma, nature sends them late enough in the season, to ensure plants are well-established in their growth and foliage. Since hornworms also find the tender suckers as well as leaves, this pruning is beneficial to force more fruit, less leaves.
Our Manduca hornworms here are largely endangered, and I do NOT recommend or condone the killing of pupae or moths. We have too many tachinid flies [a non-native parasitoid and responsible for wiping out over 33 native giant silk moth species].
I strongly advise Oklahoma gardeners to give live hornworms to teachers and home schoolers to rear indoors for education. If a larva dies, it needs to be destroyed as it’s full of tachinid maggots.
By the way, in your picture of the adult M. quinquemaculata moth, the flower is not a morning glory, but a Datura moonflower. The relationship between the Datura and Manduca’s is completely mutualistic, too. This is one valid reason we need our sphinx [hawk] moths!

By: Alicia

Alicia — Thu, 14 Jul 2011 16:37:19 +0000

Hi i was wondering if any one knew if there is a plant out there that i can use for my horn worms were it dont make them toxic im tying to breed them for my bearded dragons they say it is very good for them and help gain after giving birth i breed bearded dragons. but i know if they eat the tomato plant it will make them toxic and it will kill my dragons but i tryd fake plants and it didnt work i didnt see no babys or eggs but if any one can help plz do thank you very much

By: RLeigh

RLeigh — Mon, 20 Sep 2010 03:30:33 +0000

Thanks so much for this info. I have these on my moonflowers every evening and have been searching for their names!
They are very interesting, as they like to fly into my face as I try to take their picture!!!
Very neat!

By: David LaFerney

David LaFerney — Tue, 07 Sep 2010 18:17:50 +0000

Where are you?

By: john oddo

john oddo — Tue, 07 Sep 2010 18:01:21 +0000

I last nigth got a great pic of a Carolina sphinx Moth in my back yard feeding on a moonflower as well it is a great pic i have never seen them before I can only assume they are not indigenous to this area and the hot summer we had may be the reason.