Skip to main content
Today is National Trails Day!
Close

Carolina Sphinx (Tobacco Hornworm)

Manduca sexta

Photo by ME
Published on Project Noah
Zoom
NominateNominate for Wildlife Photograph of the Month
reportFlag Spotting

38.951, -77.3379

Field Notes

Description:

Green caterpillar with seven diagonal white lines and a black horn. The color of the front legs (the true legs) is white which helps distinguish it from the tomato hornworm (M. quinquemaculata). This one is covered in Braconid wasp cocoons. If it develoved, it would turn into a five spotted hawk moth.

Habitat:

They live on tomato plants.

Notes:

The female wasp uses her ovipositor to lay eggs just under the skin of an hornworm. As the eggs hatch, the larvae feed on the hornworm’s insides and eat the hornworm alive. Larvae chew their way out through the skin when they mature.

Species ID Suggestions

Carolina Sphinx (Tobacco Hornworm)

Manduca sexta

Reference Link
ForestDragon
3

Comments (4)
ME
Thank you ForestDragon! It is a very interesting caterpillar.
ForestDragon
Yes, your caterpillar has seven diagonal white lines and a reddish horn. Manduca quinquemaculata has eight V shaped stripes. Even with the parasitoid infestation, you should be able to see the bottom part of those markings, like here: . http://bugguide.net/node/view/36844/bgimage Another distinguishing characteristic is the color of the front legs (the true legs). Manduca quinquemaculata has green true legs, while Manduca sexta has white. Your caterpillar has white true legs. http://bugguide.net/node/view/133525/bgimage As far as the color of the horn goes. Your caterpillar is not healthy and that can cause some color changes. I believe that dark reddish coloration is not uncommon with this species: http://bugguide.net/node/view/270767/bgimage See what you think!
ME
The tobacco hornworm larva (Manduca sexta) is generally green with seven diagonal white lines on the sides and a curved red horn. The tomato hornworm has a black horn which is why I think this is the Manduca quinquemaculata.
ForestDragon
Sorry about that misspelling of the scientific name. This unfortunate caterpillar looks like the related Tobacco Hornworm. There are a few differences in markings and color of the front legs that can help distinguish this from Manduca quinquemaculata. Look here to compare: http://bugguide.net/node/view/5011

Spotted for Missions

Mission
Backyard Habitats of the World
Photographed
PublishedAugust 18, 2014

Community Sponsor

Butterfly
Become a Community Sponsor and Help Grow our Global Movement!

Accelerate our Mission to Photograph 
Every Species in the World!

Butterflies icon
Become a Community Sponsor

Wildlife Community

Wildlife Community

Join a worldwide community passionate about wildlife and nature!

Join Project Noah

Nature School

Nature School

Transform your green space into a curiosity-creating nature classroom!

Visit Nature School

Wildlife Game

Wildlife Game

Defend wildlife throughout the jungle in thrilling nature game!

Play Baboon

Nature & Conservation Organizations

Brands & Mission-Focused Companies