How to Get Rid of Tomato Hornworms The SpruceThe existence of a hornworm goes through several stages throughout its life span. From hatching as a tiny ovum, the hornworm slowly grows into a larva that voraciously consumes on foliage. As the caterpillar matures, it molts numerous times, casting off 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 goes through the chrysalis stage by attaching itself to a safe surface.
Within the chrysalis, the hornworm transforms into an entirely different creature. This metamorphosis is nothing short of miraculous, as the larva undergoes a total reorganization of its body. After a period of time, the pupa splits open, and the fully-grown hornworm emerges with vibrant wings.
The grown-up hornworm, now
a night-flying insect, seeks a mate to continue the cycle. After mating, the female hornworm deposits her eggs on a appropriate host plant for the next generation. And so, the life cycle of a hornworm repeats again, persisting the cycle of life for this fascinating creature.
The journey of a hornworm goes through several phases throughout its lifetime. From hatching as a tiny egg, the hornworm slowly grows into a larva that
voraciously consumes on foliage. As the caterpillar grows, it sheds its skin numerous times, casting off its old skin for a new one, enabling its body to expand.
In the aftermath of a sequence 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 safe surface.
Within the chrysalis, the hornworm transforms into an entirely distinct creature. This transformation is nothing brief of miraculous, as the larva undergoes a total reorganization of its physical form. After a duration of time, the pupa splits open, and the adult hornworm emerges with colorful winged appendages.
The grown-up hornworm, now a night-flying insect, seeks a mate to continue the cycle. Subsequent to mating, the female hornworm deposits her ova on a suitable food source for the next generation. And so, the life span of a hornworm repeats again, continuing the circle of existence for this fascinating creature.