Tis tobacco hornworm season. They thrive on tobacco and tomato foliage. Yesterday, we found one, about 3″ long, milling about on our back patio heading in the direction of our tomato plants. Our tomatoes are about finished for the season, so defoliation will not be an issue. Tobacco and tomato hornworms are native North American insects and, thrive in the gardens and tobacco fields that were once so prevalent in North Carolina. In their final state, they become Carolina sphinx moths, called that because of their association in the Carolina region.

This caterpillar is getting ready to pupate underground. He will be the last generation this year and the chrysalis will wait patiently underground until about June, when a sphinx moth will emerge and begin pollinating our garden. They are a mixed-blessing critter, wreaking devastation as a caterpillar yet pollinating night shade plants once they become moths. Fall is one of the best times to observe the cycle of life.