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Tobacco Hornworm (Carolina Sphinx Moth Caterpillar)

Manduca sexta

Photo by feist.br
Published on Project Noah
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39.1909, -84.3635

Field Notes

Description:

Hummingbird Moth Caterpillar

Habitat:

Backyard tomato garden

Notes:

We are wondering if anyone knows what the eggs are it's body. This caterpillar has been eating at our tomato plants for weeks, and all of the sudden this weeken it is covered with what appears to be eggs. We would like to know if this is normal, or if it is being attacked.

Species ID Suggestions

Tobacco Hornworm

Manduca sexta

Reference Link
Jacob Gorneau
2

Comments (5)
Jacob Gorneau
Lovely! M. sexta is the only species that feeds on tomato with a drooping red horn.
feist.br
Thank you. Yes... I see these are the eggs of a braconid wasp. I also see that there are mixed reviews if the caterpillar can be saved.
textless
It looks like its been parasitised. Maybe by a type of wasp? :(
Photographed
PublishedSeptember 12, 2011

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