
Their frontal wings are wide and typically measure 3.75 to 4.75 inches, while their hindwings are smaller in size and have dark and light striations. These moths’ bodies are filled with six pairs of yellow to orange spots, while their wings have a white, black, and brown color. When tobacco hornworms turn into adults, they become a Carolina sphinx moth or tobacco hawkmoth. They will go through the same cycle again and will produce eggs that will transform into third-generation moths later on. During this stage, the caterpillars will pupate for at least two weeks and will evolve into second-generation moths. They will grow and develop fully after three to four weeks and will subsequently go down on the soil to burrow. Once these eggs are hatched, tiny caterpillars will emerge and will start to feed on leaves and plants. The eggs of these species are individually laid on leaves and are round to oval in shape, 1.5 millimeters in size, and white to light green in color.

There are four stages in the life of a hornworm: Egg, Larvae, Pupae, and Adult.

They also have similar appearances and habits and loves to feed on vegetation under the Solanaceous species. They are the larval stage of gray moth species, particularly the Carolina sphinx, hummingbird, or hawkmoth. These worms are somewhat the same since they are closely related to each other. The tomato hornworms (Manduca quinquemaculata ) and tobacco hornworms (Manduca sexta) are common pests found in your gardens.

The tomato hornworms, known as Manduca quinquemaculata, are the nymphs of the five-spotted hawk moths.

Tomato and tobacco hornworms: Are they related? They are closely related as both of them are the larval creatures of the large mottled gray moths. But what if it is being infested by tomato and tobacco hornworms? Will that sense of happiness and fulfillment go away? It is very gratifying and rewarding to know that the small seeds you have once sowed are now yielding healthy and fresh produce. Harvesting fruits and vegetables from your backyard is one of life’s simple joys.
