Tobacco Hornworm Moth
FamilySphingidae
Scientific NameManduca sexta
RangeAmericas
HabitatFarmland, gardens
About the Tobacco Hornworm Moth
The adult is a large gray hawk-moth with orange spots along its abdomen. Its large green caterpillar, the tobacco hornworm, feeds on tobacco, tomatoes, and related plants and carries a horn at its rear end. It can tolerate nicotine and even uses it in defense. Its size and fast growth have made it one of the most important model insects in biology laboratories.
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