tobacco hornworm

The tobacco hornworm is the larval stage of the American hawk moth, Manduca sexta. These large, green caterpillars are known for feeding on the leaves of plants in the nightshade family, particularly tobacco and tomato plants.12

Hawk moths, in general, are characterized by their swift, hovering flight and stout, bullet-shaped bodies. The larvae of hawk moths often have a distinctive horn on their backs, giving them the common name "hornworm". The tobacco hornworm, along with the tomato hornworm, are considered economically destructive pests in North America due to their impact on crops. These insects have also been valuable in scientific research, particularly in understanding insect physiology and flight control.2