Tobacco Hornworm Identification Guide
A stout green caterpillar with diagonal white stripes and a curved red horn that shows up on tobacco and tomato plants in late summer.
Read the full Tobacco Hornworm encyclopedia entry →
Key Visual Features
The tobacco hornworm is a large, robust caterpillar that can reach 3 to 4 inches long at full growth.
- Color: Bright to pale green body that blends in with foliage
- Markings: Seven diagonal white stripes running along each side of the body
- Horn: A curved, reddish or orange "horn" projecting from the rear end (last abdominal segment)
- Body shape: Thick, cylindrical, and smooth-skinned with tiny black spiracles (breathing pores) along the sides
- Head: Small, rounded, green head with no obvious markings
- Legs: Three pairs of short true legs near the head and several pairs of fleshy prolegs along the abdomen
Where and When You'll See It
Tobacco hornworms feed on plants in the nightshade family, especially tobacco, tomato, pepper, and eggplant. Look for them clinging to stems and the undersides of leaves, where their green color offers strong camouflage. They are most commonly spotted from mid to late summer into early fall, often given away by chewed leaves and dark green droppings (frass) on the ground below the plant. They feed primarily during dusk, night, and early morning, resting motionless during the heat of the day.
Similar-Looking Bugs
The tobacco hornworm is almost identical to the tomato hornworm, and the two are frequently confused:
- Tobacco hornworm: Seven diagonal white stripes and a red/orange horn
- Tomato hornworm: Eight V-shaped (chevron) white markings and a black or dark blue horn
- Both share the same thick green body shape, so the stripe pattern and horn color are the most reliable clues
- Other large green caterpillars, such as some sphinx moth relatives, lack the distinct diagonal striping pattern
Quick ID Checklist
- Large green caterpillar, up to 4 inches long
- Seven diagonal white side stripes (not chevrons)
- Reddish or orange rear horn
- Found on tobacco, tomato, or related nightshade plants
- Active mainly at dusk and night in summer
Frequently asked questions
How do I tell a tobacco hornworm from a tomato hornworm?
Check the stripe pattern and horn color: the tobacco hornworm has seven diagonal white stripes and a red or orange horn, while the tomato hornworm has eight V-shaped white marks and a dark or black horn.
What plants are tobacco hornworms usually found on?
They are found on plants in the nightshade family, most often tobacco, tomato, pepper, and eggplant, where they rest on stems and leaf undersides.
What time of day are tobacco hornworms most active?
They feed mostly at dusk, during the night, and in early morning, staying still and well camouflaged among leaves during the brightest part of the day.
Why is the tobacco hornworm hard to spot on plants?
Its bright green body and diagonal white stripes closely match the color and light patterns of tomato and tobacco leaves, making it easy to overlook until chewed leaves reveal its presence.
Tobacco Hornworm identified by the community
Recent Tobacco Hornworm finds identified with Bug Identifier.
