Hornworms

Sphingidae larvae, especially Manduca species

Hornworms is treated as a family-level horned-caterpillar umbrella affecting tomato, tobacco, pepper, eggplant, and other host-specific plants. Large larvae rapidly defoliate upper plants, chew fruit, and leave conspicuous pellet-like frass.

Identification

Hornworms are large smooth caterpillars with a prominent caudal horn. Tomato and tobacco hornworms differ in diagonal markings and horn color. The relevant host or site is tomato, tobacco, pepper, eggplant, and other host-specific plants. Inspect upper foliage and beneath fresh frass. Search at dawn or dusk and look for white braconid cocoons on parasitized larvae.

Symptoms / Signs

Large larvae rapidly defoliate upper plants, chew fruit, and leave conspicuous pellet-like frass. Fresh feeding carries live larvae or new frass; old scars persist.

Life Cycle / Process

Eggs are laid singly, larvae feed through five instars, and pupation occurs in soil. Large sphinx moths are the adults. Larvae cause the damage, except grasshoppers, whose nymphs and adults chew. Control works best before larvae enlarge, bore, or seal themselves in silk.

Prevention

Inspect incoming plants and propagation material for eggs, small larvae, webbing, mines, or frass. Maintain crop records that link host stage with first egg or larval detection. Priority inspection target: tomato. Focus species or category: Hornworms.

Management / Control

Handpick where practical, leave parasitized larvae when crop damage is tolerable, cultivate soil after harvest, and use Bt or selective products against small larvae. Base action on active feeding, larval size, crop stage, and tolerance. Killing moths or butterflies after eggs are laid does not reverse existing injury. Recheck the same unit for fewer larvae and less new feeding.

Procedure Steps

1. Inspect the true feeding site and collect the smallest active larvae. 2. Record eggs, larval size, frass, feeding, and natural enemies consistently. 3. Apply Bt, virus, or a selective labeled insecticide while larvae are small and exposed. 4. Close the Hornworms incident only after new injury stops.

Safety Notes

Protect food, seed, packaging, workers, and Myco-Patrons during inspection and treatment. Use tamper-resistant placements where baits or traps are necessary, and keep pesticides off food-contact surfaces. Structural or termite work may require a licensed Florida pest-control operator.