to download pdf - Purdue Extension Entomology - Purdue University

Common Name: Tobacco hornworm
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Sphingidae
Pest Status: Tobacco hornworms have a caterpillar stage that can
be very damaging to certain plants.
Appearance: Hornworms are large, robust moths that have long,
narrow front wings. Their bodies are spindle-shaped, pointed at
both ends. They have gray and white mottled wings and abdomens
lined along each side with six conspicuous orange-yellow spots.
Life Cycle: Females lay their eggs singly on leaves. The eggs
hatch and the larvae feed for three or four weeks and then burrow
into the soil to pupate. The pupae overwinter and the adults emerge
in the spring. There are two generations per year.
Where to Collect: Hornworms can be reared from pupae or
caterpillars. Otherwise, they can be collected at lights or when
found taking nectar from flowers.
Photo Credit: John Obermeyer, Purdue University
Common Name: Tomato hornworm
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Sphingidae
Pest Status: Tomato hornworms can be very damaging to certain
plants, especially tomatoes.
Appearance: Tomato hornworms are nearly identical to tobacco
hornworms with the small exception of having five rather than six
yellow spots on each side of the abdomen.
Life Cycle: The life cycle is also nearly identical. The unique
caterpillars are large, green and have a distinct “horn” protruding
from the rear.
Where to Collect: Hornworms are very fast fliers and may look
like hummingbirds, hovering in front of flowers as they insert their
long mouthparts.
Photo Credit: John Obermeyer, Purdue University
Common Name: Tortoise beetle
Order: Coleoptera
Family: Chrysomelidae
Photo Credit: John Obermeyer, Purdue University
Pest Status: Tortoise beetles are not considered pests.
Appearance: Adults are conspicuous, oblong-oval beetles that are
gold in color with various black or red markings, depending on the
species. Their bodies are slightly flattened and squared at the
shoulders; they have a shell-like appearance. Body margins extend
in a roof-like manner (like a tortoise shell) over much of the head
and legs.
Life Cycle: Tortoise beetles overwinter as adults under bark or leaf
litter. In the spring, the beetles emerge and feed on hosts. Female
adults deposit clusters of eggs on the undersides of leaves. The larvae
emerge within a week. After feeding for an additional three weeks,
the larvae transform into pupae. A week later, the new adults emerge.
Where to Collect: Tortoise beetles can be found on host plants
where their immature stages have fed. Search in areas where the
leaves have been damaged by minute holes.