Tomato / tobacco hornworm
PestLarge green caterpillars can strip branches overnight; frass droppings are often visible below plants.
Often on
Tomatoes, peppers, sometimes other nightshades.
Symptom tags
Signs in the garden
- Missing leaflets or entire branches defoliated.
- Dark droppings on leaves or mulch.
- Horn at rear; camouflage is excellent — look along stems.
What often helps (general)
- Hand removal is effective on backyard scale.
- Parasitized hornworms show tiny white cocoons (braconid wasps) — leave those to complete their cycle.
When to escalate
If hornworms persist after multiple hand-picking passes, confirm ID before choosing sprays on food plants.