Tomato Hornworm
Also known as: Manduca quinquemaculata
Identification
Large green caterpillar (75-100mm) with white V-shaped marks and a horn on the rear. Camouflaged against foliage. Large dark droppings on leaves below.
Damage
Chewing — massive defoliation; a single hornworm can strip a tomato plant in days
Best Organic Solutions (Ranked)
Solutions ranked by reliability tier — start with Tier A options.
Btk — most reliable option, must be ingested
Contact + ingestion for faster kill
Biological Controls
Braconid wasps (Cotesia congregata) — look for white cocoons on hornworm body; do NOT remove parasitized caterpillars. Trichogramma egg parasitoids.
Prevention
Till soil in fall to destroy overwintering pupae. Black light traps for adult moths. Inspect plants daily during peak season.
Common Mistake
Killing parasitized hornworms covered with white braconid wasp cocoons. These wasps are your allies — leave the hornworm to serve as a nursery.