Tobacco hornworm

Manduca sexta (Linnaeus)

(Insecta: Lepidoptera: Sphingidae)

Adult moths are dull brown with six orange spots along each side of the abdomen. Their wings are narrow and spread to over 100 mm. Eggs are spherical, about 1.5 mm in diameter, and light green to white. Larvae develop into large caterpillars that are over 80 mm in length. They are green with seven white, diagonal stripes laterally along each side of the abdomen and bear a characteristic red horn at the rear end. Pupae are up to 60 mm long, brown, and bear a conspicuous loop that encases the mouthparts.

The life cycle may be completed in four to seven weeks, and depending on climate, two to four generations occur per year. Adults and larvae are active between April and November, and pupae diapause during the winter. The moths are active and fly at dusk.

Although its distribution ranges from Canada to Argentina, tobacco hornworm is especially common in the southern United States along the Gulf Coast.

The host range is restricted to plants in the family Solanaceae, and tobacco is preferred.

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Adult of tobacco hornworm, Manduca sexta (Linnaeus)

(Photographer: Paul Choate, University of Florida)