manducca sexta

tags: Carolina Sphinx Moth, Tobacco Hornworm Moth, Manducca sexta, Image of the Day Manducca sexta, or the Carolina Sphinx Moth. The larva, is known as the tobacco hornworm, or tomato worm. It has seven diagonal white lines on each side, and a red "horn" at the end of the abdomen. It feeds on plants in the nightshade family, and is known for its voracious appetite which can decimate a small tomato garden in no time! This one was first spotted on the window screen on the 2nd floor porch of my house. After I photographed it, it was released unharmed. Although I have seen many tomato…