DESCRIPTION
Larvae are very large (up to 10 cm) caterpillars with diagonal white stripes and a short horn at the tail. Adults are large (up to 12 cm) grey or brown fast flying hawk moths, sometimes mistaken for hummingbirds.
DAMAGE
Larvae consume large amounts of foliage, as well as fruit, leaving dark droppings on leaves. Most feeding is done at night.
LIFE CYCLE
Hornworms overwinter as dark brown pupae in soil. Adults emerge in late spring and lay eggs on undersides of tomato leaves. Eggs hatch in 5 to 7 days, with larvae reaching full size in 3 to 4 weeks. There are 1 or 2 generations each year.
CONTROLS
• Cultivate top 15 cm of soil in early spring to kill pupae. • Handpicking is very effective. If handpicking is not practical, apply pesticide when caterpillars are very small.
PESTICIDES
• Chemical-Sevin at label rates.
• Alternate-BtK (Bacillus thuringiensis var. kurstaki) or Rotenone at label rates.
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Later's Rotenone
Later's Rotenone Garden Dust is ready-to-use. Apply directly on foliage of Vegetables, Flowers, Fruit and Ornamentals, when insects appear. Thoroughly cover the leaves. Repeat if necessary.