The Five-spotted Hawk Moth is the parent of the tomato hornworm caterpillar — a large green larva with white diagonal stripes and a distinctive red posterior horn that is the bane of tomato gardeners. The adult moth is large with a gray-patterned forewing and five pairs of orange spots on the abdomen. Braconid wasp cocoons often parasitize the caterpillar, appearing as white rice-grain structures on its back.
Habitat
Gardens, agricultural fields, and areas with solanaceous plants
Diet
Larvae: tomato, potato, and other solanaceous plants. Adults: flower nectar
How common
Common
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