How to Get Rid of Tomato Hornworms The Spruce
The journey of a hornworm goes through several stages throughout its lifetime. From hatching as a tiny ovum, the hornworm slowly develops into a caterpillar that voraciously consumes on
foliage. As the caterpillar matures, it sheds its skin numerous times, shedding its old skin for a new one, allowing its physique to expand.
After a series of molts, the hornworm attains its full size, calculating approximately
three to four inches in length. At this point, it enters the chrysalis stage by attaching itself to a secure surface.
Within the chrysalis, the hornworm transforms into an entirely distinct creature. This metamorphosis is nothing short of miraculous, as the caterpillar undergoes a complete reorganization of its physical form. After a duration of waiting, the pupa splits open, and the fully-grown hornworm emerges with vibrant wings.
The adult hornworm, now a moth, seeks a mate to proceed the cycle. After mating, the female hornworm deposits her eggs on a appropriate food source for the next generation. And so, the life cycle of a hornworm repeats again, persisting the circle of existence for this fascinating creature.
The journey of a hornworm goes through several phases throughout its life span. From emerging as a tiny egg, the hornworm slowly develops into a larva that voraciously consumes on foliage. As the caterpillar matures, it molts numerous times, shedding its old skin for a new one, enabling its body to grow.
After a sequence of
molts, the hornworm attains its full size, calculating approximately three to four inches in length. At this point, it enters the pupal stage by attaching itself to a safe area.
Within the pupa, the hornworm transforms into an entirely different creature. This transformation is nothing brief of miraculous, as the larva undergoes a complete restructuring of its body. After a period of time, the pupa splits open, and the fully-grown hornworm emerges with vibrant winged appendages.
The grown-up hornworm, now a moth, seeks a mate to proceed the cycle. Subsequent to mating, the female hornworm lays her ova on a appropriate host plant for the next generation.
And so, the life cycle of a hornworm starts
over again, persisting the circle of existence for this fascinating creature.
