Tomato hornworms in home gardens The existence of a hornworm goes through several phases 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 attaching itself to a safe
surface.
Within the chrysalis, the hornworm metamorphoses into an entirely distinct creature. This transformation is nothing short of miraculous, as the caterpillar undergoes a total restructuring of its physical form. After a period of waiting, the pupa splits open, and the fully-grown hornworm emerges with colorful wings.
The adult hornworm, now a moth, seeks a mate to continue the cycle. After mating, the female hornworm deposits her ova on a appropriate food source for the next generation. And so, the life span of a hornworm repeats again, continuing the cycle of life for this amazing creature.
The journey of a hornworm goes through several phases throughout its life span. From hatching as a tiny ovum, the hornworm slowly develops into a larva that voraciously consumes on foliage. As the caterpillar grows, it molts numerous times, casting off its old skin for a new one, allowing its physique to expand.
In the aftermath of a sequence 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 secure area.
Within the pupa, the hornworm metamorphoses into an entirely distinct creature. This metamorphosis is nothing short of miraculous, as the larva undergoes a total reorganization of its body. After a period of waiting, the pupa splits open, and the fully-grown hornworm emerges with colorful winged appendages.
The adult hornworm, now a night-flying insect, seeks a mate to continue the cycle. Subsequent to mating, the female
hornworm deposits her ova on a appropriate food source for the offspring. And so, the life cycle of a hornworm repeats again, continuing the cycle of life for this amazing creature.
