Dealing with Tomato Hornworms Before They Destroy Your Tomato The journey of a hornworm goes through several phases throughout its life span. From hatching as a tiny ovum, the hornworm slowly grows into a caterpillar that voraciously feeds on foliage. As the caterpillar matures, it sheds its skin numerous times, shedding its old skin for a new one, enabling its physique to expand.
After a series of molts, the hornworm reaches its full size, measuring approximately three to four inches in length. At this point, it goes through the chrysalis stage by attaching itself to a safe surface.
Within the pupa, the hornworm metamorphoses into an entirely different creature. This metamorphosis is nothing short of miraculous, as the larva undergoes a total reorganization of its physical form. After a duration of waiting, the pupa splits open, and the adult hornworm emerges with colorful wings.
The adult hornworm, now a night-flying insect, seeks a mate to continue the cycle. After mating, the female hornworm deposits her ova on a suitable host plant for the offspring. And so, the life cycle of a hornworm starts over again, persisting the circle of existence for
this fascinating creature.
The existence of a hornworm goes through several stages throughout its life span. From emerging 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 body to grow.
After a series of molts, the hornworm reaches its full size, measuring approximately three to four inches in length. At this point, it enters the pupal stage by fastening itself to a safe surface.
Within the pupa, the hornworm transforms into an entirely distinct creature. This metamorphosis is nothing brief of miraculous, as the larva undergoes a complete reorganization of its physical form. Following a period of time, the pupa splits open, and the fully-grown hornworm emerges with vibrant wings.
The adult hornworm, now a night-flying insect, seeks a mate to proceed the cycle. Subsequent
to mating, the female hornworm lays her ova on a appropriate food source for the next generation. And so, the life cycle of a hornworm repeats again, persisting the cycle of life for this fascinating creature.
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- Hornworm Care Feeding
