MaineNatureDiary

Tobacco Hornworm: These caterpillars, genus Manduca sexta, were found rapidly defoliating our tomato plants this summer. Hornworms prefer to feed on plants in the nightshade family such as tomatoes, potatoes, eggplants, and green peppers. The term “Tomato Hornworm” is often used interchangeably with “Tobacco Hornworm.” Both caterpillars are very similar although the Tomato Hornworm has a black horn at the rear and a V-shaped white mark at the side of each segment.