In the wild, newly emerged larvae will immediately begin to feed on the leaf they were laid on. Hatching usually occurs 3 to 5 days after eggs are laid. They are very small, translucent green spheres (1 to 2 mm in diameter). Hornworm eggs are normally found on the underside of leaves but may also be found on the leaf surface. Let’s take a closer look at the life cycle of the intriguing tobacco hornworm. Additionally, hornworms are novel organisms that students are usually unfamiliar with, leading to a heightened interest in the critters. For observers, the difference between butterflies and tobacco hornworms comes from the visual appeal and substantial growth of the hornworm during the larval stage, and from its strange, fascinating pupal stage. Lower temperatures may extend the development time to 39 to 48 days. At 27° C (81° F), it will take about 30 days for a hornworm to mature from an egg into an adult. Both have complete metamorphosis, progressing from egg to larva to pupa to adult. The life cycle of tobacco hornworms is like that of butterflies. Because of this, we discourage releasing these organisms, at any stage, into the wild. In the larval stage, both are agricultural pests, and a single caterpillar can easily decimate an entire tobacco or tomato plant, respectively.
They are easily confused with tomato hornworms, which look identical, except that they have V-shaped lines on their sides. Most common throughout the southern and Gulf Coast states, this caterpillar is easily recognizable due to its distinct green hue, vertical lines trailing down each side, and its “horn” located on the posterior of its abdomen.
Meet the tobacco hornworm ( Manduca sexta), a member of the Lepidoptera order that emerges as a moth in adulthood.
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