Hornworm eggs are laid right on the leaf I do believe. They are sphinx moth caterpillars. The pupae might overwinter in the soil but I'm not sure.

I actually have a soft spot for them and as destructive as they are I have a hard time killing them. I have even raised one to adulthood in a box to show my son how they go from worm to cocoon to moth.

I tend to be too fond of caterpillars to harm them. (The only ones that bother me are the Tussock Moth larvae. I really do not like those. It's something leftover from a terrifying childhood memory. )

I recently heard a story on NPR about metamorphosis and how it is still a complete mystery to scientists. It was fascinating. If you're interested:

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=88031220

Zach! You are just mean and cruel...oh the horror!

I thought he was pretty cute, the ranger named him Fred. I tried to feed him some fir needles but he wasn't interested and then he ran away.

My son found a caterpillar in the chicken coop last week, it looked like an enormous hornworm... But it was white/beige colored, and only had a little dot on his butt where the "horn" would be. Also, no nightshade plants nearby where he found it, only chokecherries and an overgrown grape vine.

I'll admit that I, too, am somewhat reluctant to kill tomato hornworms. The sphinx moth is a very pretty looking moth, at least in my eyes; if you don't notice the feathery antennae, you would be quite sure you were looking at some new variety of hummingbird as it flits about! I have seen the moths around, often in the early evening; they love to sip nectar from flowers just like hummingbirds and bees, and they do a fair amount of pollinating for us, I would think. Thus far I have not seen any of their "offspring" munching on my tomatoes or on my one deadly nightshade plant, but I am keeping an eye out for them.

Holly

I don't kill them myself either as they tend to squirt everywhere when squished. I pick them off the tomato plant and throw them in the chicken run and sit back a watch a game of 'chicken football'. Very entertaining!!

I've only ever seen two hornworms in Colorado since I've lived here. One in 2011, which was promptly drained of life by a few yellowjackets (seriously - a little gang of yellowjackets stung it repeatedly and then sucked him dry), and another just a few weeks back that I tossed in the alley. I can't bring myself to kill them, but I don't mind relocating them elsewhere.

I looked and looked for this pic a couple days ago and couldn't find it. Now I was just looking for something else--and I FOUND it! Looky, looky!

https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/ARkaEqzL5z1ZEmLJajrLg_lrEnZxtkcOpHcymm_Nchg?feat=directlink

Skybird--the kind of bird who doesn't eat insects!

They are rather pretty, aren't they?!? :-D

Holly

Ick.

I used to have hornworms showing up most every year. One year, the telltale damage was in tomatoes near some sunflowers. Before I could use the Bt spray on them, they disappeared!

The plants healed. And, I blamed the birds that visited those sunflowers, often. I have since read that the chickadee is a voracious eater of bugs, he just must enjoy sunflower seed a good deal, also. The finches, chipping sparrows and such seem to "lay claim" to the sunflowers long before they bloom.

I've had sunflowers where I grow my tomatoes and have not seen a hornworm in 10 years!

Steve

I'm sure the birds are eating the hornworms!

Steve, your planting sunflowers by your tomatoes sounds like a excellent way to keep the birds, the tomatoes, and you as well, happy. I have yet to see any hornworms eating my tomatoes this year, but I think next year I will grow sunflowers in the area and take advantage of the birds help with keeping pests under control - just in case.

Holly

There is some study out there about our little friends the chickadees. We have the Mountain and Black-capped.

Here is something:

"In spring, summer, and fall, insects, spiders, and other animal food make up 80-90 percent of their diet. At feeders they take mostly sunflower seeds, peanuts, suet, peanut butter, and mealworms." All about birds, Cornell Don't give them mealworms! Make 'em work for those sunflower seeds ...

Steve

I'm finding the things all over my lawn. I imagine they're falling from the trees, but I don't see any sign of them devouring much, not like when they hit a tomato plant. Today saw 5. Seems a little late in the year to start a career as a moth.

David, don't quote me on this, but I BELIEVE they can overwinter as pupae in the soil and emerge as the first generation of moths in the spring. You'd have to check up on that, but I think I read something to that effect a while back.

Huh - that might be whats going on

I'd buy certain species if a anybody has them and doesnt wanna kill them. Epecially grape vine/virginia creeper eaters. I may take tobacco/tomato if theres enough of them. If you dont wanna kill the tomato versions take them off and feed em potato or green peppers.