How to identify
- Fat green caterpillar up to 4 inches with a horn at the rear
- White V-shaped marks along the sides (tobacco hornworms look similar)
- Dark droppings (frass) on leaves below the feeding site
Damage: Sudden defoliation; green fruit may be scarred.
Control methods
- Hand-pick into soapy water; search at dusk with a flashlight.
- Leave worms covered in white cocoons — those are parasitic wasps.
- Clear nightshade weeds that can host related moths.
What products to use
We list product types and what to check on the label — not brand rankings, prices, or “we tested” claims. Always follow the label for your crop, and prefer the least disruptive option that works.
Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis kurstaki)
When: Young hornworms you cannot find by hand
Look for: Btk labeled for caterpillars on vegetables; spray leaf undersides
Longer walkthrough: open the related guide.