Tomato Hornworm Caterpillar

The Tomato Hornworm larva is cylindrical in form, and bears five pairs of prolegs in addition to three pairs of thoracic legs. The most striking feature of the larva is a thick pointed structure or “horn,” located dorsally on the terminal abdominal segment.

Last instar larva of the tomato hornworm, Manduca quinquemaculata (Haworth). Credit: Paul M. Choate, University of Florida


The tomato hornworm bears eight whitish or yellowish “V”-shaped marks laterally, and pointing anteriorly. The “V”-shaped marks are not edged in black. Also, in tomato hornworm the “horn” tends to be black in color. Larval development time averages about 20 days. View the tomato hornworm moth here!

 

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Posted: January 25, 2013


Category: Natural Resources, Wildlife
Tags: Big Bend Bugs!, Big Bend Wakulla, Bug Identification, Bugs, Caterpillars, Environment, Landscape, Lawn & Garden, Les Harrison, Natural Wakulla, Tomato Hornworm Caterpillar, Wakulla CED, Wakulla County Extension


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