Hornworm
by Wildwood512
This is a tobacco hornworm. I found him on one of my totmato plants. I detest these buggers as they will devour a plant in no time at all if not discovered.... yet I am enthralled by it's skin pattern. There are actually two in this picture that almost create a mirror image.
Uploaded08/10/2015 - 02:19
CategoryWildlife / Nature
Unique Views / Likes24/2
Posted 08/10/2015 - 09:32
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Its a fascinating, if detestable bugger, so why not plant a lot more tomatoes so you can have the best of both worlds - plenty of tomatoes to eat and many more caterpillars to photograph.
David
David
Posted 08/10/2015 - 22:47
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Donna...
Another superb picture...
but it is not the caterpillar of the Hummingbird Hawkmoth... a European species....
Macroglossum stellatarum caterpillars have two stripes along their length on each side.
I think what you have photographed is the tobacco hornworm [Manduca sexta] the larva of the Carolina Sphinx moth...
You will find more here...
and you need to get yourself some biological control...
The above is from the link...
The Western American Hummingbird Hawkmoth is a clearwing... Hemaris thysbe and has no stripes whatsoever....
but it does have some rather fetching dots down the side!!
Tim
Another superb picture...
but it is not the caterpillar of the Hummingbird Hawkmoth... a European species....
Macroglossum stellatarum caterpillars have two stripes along their length on each side.
I think what you have photographed is the tobacco hornworm [Manduca sexta] the larva of the Carolina Sphinx moth...
You will find more here...
and you need to get yourself some biological control...
Quote:
"A parasitic braconid wasp, Cotesia congregata, uses the live body of the caterpillar as a host for her eggs. Dozens of eggs, which are injected into the caterpillar. The eggs hatch, the larva grow, and then tunnel out of the caterpillar to spin these tiny cocoons. The caterpillar dies a slow and presumably agonizing death, as it is eaten from the inside out. "
"A parasitic braconid wasp, Cotesia congregata, uses the live body of the caterpillar as a host for her eggs. Dozens of eggs, which are injected into the caterpillar. The eggs hatch, the larva grow, and then tunnel out of the caterpillar to spin these tiny cocoons. The caterpillar dies a slow and presumably agonizing death, as it is eaten from the inside out. "
The above is from the link...
The Western American Hummingbird Hawkmoth is a clearwing... Hemaris thysbe and has no stripes whatsoever....
but it does have some rather fetching dots down the side!!
Tim
Never be afraid to talk about your techniques...
"Give a thousand photographers...
the same camera, lens and scene...
and you'll always get a thousand different takes!!"
Anon.
"Give a thousand photographers...
the same camera, lens and scene...
and you'll always get a thousand different takes!!"
Anon.
Posted 08/10/2015 - 23:18
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Whatever it is Donna, it's a mighty attractive beastie. Personally, if there are only a few plants to protect, I'd remove them manually and chuck them over the fence to find something else to eat. The thought of abandoning them to the wasps is horrible - and they still eat until they succumb anyway.
Posted 09/10/2015 - 04:44
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Thanks everyone for the nice comments and the dislogue! 😀
Tim, thanks for the heads up on this bug. I have been calling it a Tomato Hornworm for 20 years! Images on line are confusing as a variety of species photos come up that say they are images of the Tomato Hornworm and confusing also because I find them on my tomato plants. Seems the Tobaco and Tomato Hornworms are related but do look slightly different.
I do plant many plants, about 30 - 40 since I can tomatoes. I haven't seen these pests on my property for years. However, this year I found these two along with a third one all on one plant!
Our pest control measure is picking them off the plants and destroying them. As they will wipe out your garden if not dealt with. They will eat on other veggie plants as well. We have seen some with the wasp larva on them also.
Isn't science is fascinating! 🐝
Tim, thanks for the heads up on this bug. I have been calling it a Tomato Hornworm for 20 years! Images on line are confusing as a variety of species photos come up that say they are images of the Tomato Hornworm and confusing also because I find them on my tomato plants. Seems the Tobaco and Tomato Hornworms are related but do look slightly different.
I do plant many plants, about 30 - 40 since I can tomatoes. I haven't seen these pests on my property for years. However, this year I found these two along with a third one all on one plant!
Our pest control measure is picking them off the plants and destroying them. As they will wipe out your garden if not dealt with. They will eat on other veggie plants as well. We have seen some with the wasp larva on them also.
Isn't science is fascinating! 🐝
Cheers...Donna 😊
Posted 09/10/2015 - 09:41
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Beautiful macro Donna they must love your beautiful garden ! Viva tomatoes ! here they come ....... Best Wishes ALAN
Posted 13/10/2015 - 15:45
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pauljay wrote:
Slugs had a good feed on my tomatoes and there is no way I'm gonna take macros of those ugly critters! Anyway, it's a lovely shot Donna!
Haha....Paul you made me laugh!Slugs had a good feed on my tomatoes and there is no way I'm gonna take macros of those ugly critters! Anyway, it's a lovely shot Donna!
If it weren't for the fact that I submit photos to stock photo sights, I probably wouldn't be getting up close and personal with the likes of this guy either. BTW...this shot got accepted!
Cheers...Donna 😊
Posted 05/12/2015 - 12:46
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This is an extremely well taken and sharp shot.
Whatever the caterpillar is, It does really look quite beautiful.
I think the dots are not just dots, but are supposed to simulate eyes, to repel want to be predators.
However it is a great picture.
I hope your tomatoes are saved and taste well.
Here in Australia we have the worlds worst tasting tomatoes in the shops.
Regards, Horst
Whatever the caterpillar is, It does really look quite beautiful.
I think the dots are not just dots, but are supposed to simulate eyes, to repel want to be predators.
However it is a great picture.
I hope your tomatoes are saved and taste well.
Here in Australia we have the worlds worst tasting tomatoes in the shops.
Regards, Horst
Posted 05/12/2015 - 14:39
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Thank you Horst. We plant a bevy of tomato plants each year to eat fresh and to can/preserve. We have amended our soil over the years to help boost harvest rate. Our tomatoes taste delicious, even our doxie dogs pull them off the vines and eat them (an amusing site). How sad to hear your tomatoes down under are lackluster! 😕
Cheers...Donna 😊
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2093 posts
13 years
North Island - New Zealand