Signs the Hornworm Caterpillar Is Munching your Tomato Plants

Here he is.  I found him after the telltale signs were spotted. 

Stem of the tomato plant devoid of an leaves.  That's a sure sign the hornworm caterpillar is munching on your plants.

Black droppings on the ground or leaves.

 I first spotted the bare stem, saw the droppings.  I knew the hornworm caterpillar was somewhere on my plant.  It took a full five minutes of searching to find him but I did.  And after removing the one leaf/stem he was hanging out on (with garden scissors), I tossed him away.  Many gardeners enjoy the smashing of this critter, but I put mine in the trash.

Tabacco Hornworm Caterpillar: Revisited

This is a video I created a few years ago about a hungry little fellow who LOVES your tomato plants. If left unattended, one of these critters can devour a vast quanity of leaves each day leaving you with naked, leafless stalks.

They are great at camouflage and can impersonate a curled up leaf better than any other poser insects around. One tell-tale sign that you are one of these guys visiting is tiny little "waste droppings" around the bottom of the plant or on leaves below them. If you see waste pellets, search until you find the hornworm caterpillar and physically remove and destroy. Another sign is stems without any leaves.

Back by Popular Demand: Hornworm

Watch this video with still photos and action video of the hornworm caterpillar.

He's Baaaaack. The Tabacco Hornworm

Most of the summer was spent without this creature munching through my tomato plants. The other morning I was greeted by little droppings on the sidewalk and I knew the hornworm was back. Searching the plant I discovered his well-camouflaged body. See the remainder of the tomato he ate?

Tomato Hornworm/ (Tabacco Hornworm)

Fee! Fi! Fo! Fum! Who is that eating all the leaves from my tomato plant?

Why it is none other than the tomato hornworm.* The tomato plant was being depleted of its leaves down to the stem. Lucky for me I spied this ravenous creature as I went to photograph some newly developing veggies. Even though they are the size of an index finger, they are so clever in their coloration and markings, they are hard to see. And yuck, it presented me with green goo when I tried to remove it from the stem on which it was napping. I repeat...YUCK!

The hornworm caterpillar is named after the magenta colored "horn" which is at the posterior end of this lovely creature.
*I misidentified this little fellow in my original post. Observant readers of my blog have indicated my error in their comments. I stand corrected and state that this little guy is actually a tabacco hornworm. Thank you faithful readers! :)


Watch this video with still photos and action video of the hornworm caterpillar.