Do Tomato Hornworms Eat Tomato Plants Only

Tomatoes are a beloved garden staple, with many people enjoying the process of growing these tasty, versatile fruits. However, gardeners must always be aware of pests that can damage or even destroy their tomato plants. One such pest is the tomato hornworm, a large green caterpillar that can do significant damage to a tomato crop. But do tomato hornworms eat tomato plants exclusively, or do they munch on other plants too?

Tomato Hornworms: A Brief Overview

Before we dive into the question of what tomato hornworms eat, let's take a moment to learn more about these creatures. Tomato hornworms are the larval stage of the five-spotted hawkmoth, a large moth that can have a wingspan of up to 5 inches. The caterpillars are bright green with distinctive white diagonal stripes on their sides, and they can grow up to 4 inches long.

Tomato hornworms are most active in the summer months and can be found throughout North America, with a range that includes the eastern United States, Mexico, and Canada. They are most commonly found on tomato plants, but they can also feed on other plants in the nightshade family, including eggplants, peppers, and potatoes.

Do Tomato Hornworms Eat Tomato Plants Only?

As mentioned, tomato hornworms are most often found on tomato plants, and these plants are their preferred food source. The caterpillars are known to consume large amounts of tomato leaves, stems, and fruit, and they can cause significant damage to a tomato crop if left unchecked.

However, while tomato hornworms do have a strong affinity for tomato plants, they are not limited to this food source. As mentioned, they may also feed on other plants in the nightshade family, and they have been known to eat crops such as tobacco and moonflowers. Additionally, there are some reports of tomato hornworms feeding on plants outside of the nightshade family, although this is less common.

Tomato Hornworm Control

If you have a tomato garden, it's important to keep an eye out for tomato hornworms and take steps to control their population if you see any signs of infestation. Some common techniques for controlling tomato hornworms include:

Handpicking: Tomato hornworms can be removed manually and killed by dropping them into a bucket of soapy water.

Natural predators: Certain beneficial insects, such as parasitic wasps and braconid wasps, feed on tomato hornworms.

Chemical controls: Insecticides can be used to kill tomato hornworms, but they should be used judiciously and with caution to avoid harming beneficial insects and pollinators.

By taking steps to control tomato hornworms, you can help protect your tomato crop and keep your garden healthy and thriving.

The Bottom Line

While tomato hornworms are most often found on tomato plants and do consume large quantities of tomato foliage and fruit, they are not limited to this food source. These caterpillars may also feed on other plants in the nightshade family and, in some cases, even outside of this plant family. If you have a tomato garden, it is important to keep an eye out for tomato hornworms and take steps to control their population if necessary.