Species · GBIF taxon 1863978
Tobacco Hornworm
Manduca sextaAlso known as Carolina Sphinx Moth, Six-spotted Sphinx
These massive green caterpillars feature seven diagonal white stripes along their sides and a characteristic red horn on their rear. As adults, they transform into Carolina sphinx moths, heavy-bodied nocturnal fliers that hover like hummingbirds to sip nectar from deep-throated flowers. They tolerate and sequester high concentrations of toxic nicotine from their nightshade host plants, rendering them unpalatable to many predators.
NocturnalCamouflagedAgricultural Pest
- diet
- Solanaceous foliage as larvae; flower nectar as adults
- family
- Sphingidae
- threats
- Pesticides, parasitic wasps, and tilling of soil
- life Span
- 30 to 50 days from egg to adult
NE
Safe to handle, as the horn is soft and cannot sting.
- Spotting Larvae: Look for defoliated stems and dark green, barrel-shaped droppings on the ground beneath nightshade plants.
- Handling: Gently pick them up from the sides; they may thrash or spit dark green fluid but are completely harmless.
- Watching Adults: Plant deep-throated flowers like petunias or moonflowers to attract the hovering moths at dusk.