Caterpillar larvae will hatch in late spring and feed for 4–6 weeks before creating a cocoon, overwintering in their pupal state in the soil.

The adult moths are easily recognizable they’re commonly called sphinx or hummingbird moths.

In late spring, large adult moths lay eggs on the undersides of foliage, which will hatch within a week.

Tomato (and tobacco) hornworms live according to the following life cycle: They blend in quite easily with the green foliage and feed non-stop, creating spotty and chewed leaves and fruit. Both species can ruin your tomato crop in record time! They also feed on other plants in the Solanaceae (nightshade) family: eggplants, peppers, tobacco, and potatoes.

There are two main garden pest species, tomato hornworms, and tobacco hornworms, which can be found in most regions of the U.S. If you’ve ever grown tomatoes, chances are good that you’ve dealt with these green caterpillar pests.

Get ready by learning about how to control tomato hornworms in your garden. Big, fat, and green! These caterpillars can do a lot of damage to our summer crops.

Download tomato hornworm eggs