No, the hummingbird moth and the tomato hornworm are two completely different insects. The hummingbird moth is a type of sphinx moth, while the tomato hornworm is the larval stage of the five-spotted hawkmoth. Despite some similarities in appearance, they have a number of key differences.
Key Differences Between Hummingbird Moths and Tomato Hornworms
Here are some of the main ways to distinguish between hummingbird moths and tomato hornworms:
Appearance
Hummingbird moths are medium-sized moths with long wings and tail-like extensions on their hindwings that flap rapidly in a blur as they hover and feed on flower nectar. Their bodies are slender and spindle-shaped. Tomato hornworms are large, green caterpillars with white v-shaped markings, a reddish horn extending from their rear end, and seven pairs of prolegs under their body.
Behavior
Hummingbird moths dart quickly from flower to flower, hovering in midair as they unfurl their long proboscis to drink nectar. Tomato hornworms are slow moving and use their strong mandibles to voraciously chew through leaves and stems of tomato, tobacco, and other plants in the nightshade family.
Life Cycle
Hummingbird moths have a complete metamorphosis life cycle with four stages: egg, larva (caterpillar), pupa (chrysalis), and adult moth. Tomato hornworms are the caterpillar stage of the five-spotted hawkmoth and will form a pupa before emerging as an adult moth.
Host Plants
Hummingbird moth caterpillars feed on plants like snowberry, honeysuckle, and willowherb. Tomato hornworms specifically feed on plants in the Solanaceae family like tomatoes, tobacco, eggplants, and potatoes.
Range
There are over 1,200 species of hummingbird moths found worldwide. The tomato hornworm is native to North America.
Detailed Comparison
Now let’s take a more in-depth look at the characteristics and traits of hummingbird moths versus tomato hornworms.
Hummingbird Moths
Hummingbird moths belong to the Sphingidae family of moths, which includes hawk moths and sphinx moths. There are over 1,200 species worldwide. Some common North American species include:
- White-lined sphinx moth
- Hummingbird clearwing moth
- Snowberry clearwing moth
- Nessus sphinx moth
- Bumblebee moth
Hummingbird moth adults have long, narrow wings and elongated spindle-shaped bodies covered in fuzzy hair. They have a wingspan ranging from 1.5 to 6 inches. Their tongues or proboscises are exceptionally long, allowing them to access nectar from tubular flowers. In flight, they beat their wings up to 70 times per second, allowing them to hover in place like tiny hummingbirds.
Hummingbird moth caterpillars often have horn-like appendages or tails. They primarily feed on plants in the figwort and snapdragon families such as snowberry, honeysuckle, and fireweed. Some species have camouflage coloration to avoid predators.
Hummingbird moths prefer open meadows and gardens where nectar-rich flowers grow. They are active during the day and at dusk when flowers open. During the winter they migrate south or overwinter as pupae. There are anywhere from one to three generations per year depending on the species and climate.
Tomato Hornworms
The tomato hornworm is the larval caterpillar stage of the five-spotted hawkmoth (Manduca quinquemaculata). As the name suggests, it primarily feeds on plants in the tomato family such as tomatoes, tobacco, eggplants, and potatoes. They grow up to 4 inches long and are a vivid green color with eight v-shaped white markings along the sides and seven diagonal white bands on each side.
The most distinctive feature is the long reddish-orange horn that protrudes from the rear end. Tomato hornworms use this spine and their equally prominent true legs at the front to suspend themselves upside down from branches as they feed. They have seven pairs of prolegs (fleshy stubby legs) running along the length of their underside.
Tomato hornworms are native to North America and are considered a serious garden pest. The larvae blend in well camouflaged on plants and can completely defoliate tomatoes and other solanaceous crops. Adult hawkmoths emerge in late spring and lay eggs on the undersides of leaves. There are typically two generations per year.
Here is a table comparing some of the key traits of hummingbird moths and tomato hornworms:
| Trait | Hummingbird Moth | Tomato Hornworm |
|---|---|---|
| Species Family | Sphingidae (sphinx moths) | Sphingidae (hawkmoths) |
| Wingspan | 1.5-6 inches | N/A (larval stage) |
| Length | Up to 3 inches (body) | Up to 4 inches |
| Appearance | Slender fuzzy moth, long wings | Large green caterpillar with horns |
| Host Plants | Snowberry, snapdragons, honeysuckle | Tomatoes, tobacco, potatoes |
| Range | Worldwide (many species) | North America |
| Generations per Year | 1-3 | 2 |
| Activity | Day and dusk | Nocturnal |
Conclusion
In summary, while the hummingbird moth and tomato hornworm have somewhat similar appearances, they are completely different insects. Hummingbird moths are medium-sized moths that mimic hummingbirds. Tomato hornworms are large green caterpillars that metamorphosize into hawk moths. They differ in their family, host plants, activity patterns, and range. So the next time you see a horned caterpillar munching on your tomato plants, you’ll know it’s a tomato hornworm and not a hummingbird moth.
