No, and partially yes, They typically eat leaves but sometimes will eat tomato fruit. The damage they do to tomatoes is usually minor and doesn’t affect the overall flavor of the tomato. Tomato hornworms aren’t considered a major pest of tomatoes, so there’s usually no need for control measures unless there is a large infestation.
Though there are lots of pests and insects involved as a home gardener, Tomato Hornworms can be a nuisance. The question remains: do tomato hornworms eat tomatoes? In this article, we’ll discuss the answer to that question and the exact reason why.
What Are Tomato Hornworms And Their Habit?
Tomato hornworms are the larvae of hawk moths. These caterpillars can often be green or brown and have a horn on their head. Although they look menacing, they are harmless to people and instead feed on the leaves of tomato plants. The hornworms can grow up to 4 inches long and have white stripes and spots along their body.
- Kingdom: Animalia
- Phylum: Arthropoda
- Class: Insecta
- Order: Lepidoptera ( Chewing mouthparts )
- Family: Sphingidae
- Genus & Species: Manduca quinquemaculata
Tomato hornworms are most active during the summer months when temperatures are warm and humidity is high. They typically feed at night as they hide among the foliage during the day.
A single hornworm can cause significant damage to a tomato plant, skeletonizing leaves and consuming stems and buds as well. If multiple worms are present, they can strip an entire plant of its leaves in a very short period.
There are primarily two types of hornworms that hurt tomato crops:
Common Name | Scientific Name | Host Plants |
Tobacco hornworm/Carolina sphinx | Manduca sexta | Tomato, eggplant, and another nightshade family (Potato, Belladonna, chili pepper, capsicum )plants |
Tomato hornworm/Five-spotted hawkmoth | Manduca quinquemaculata | Tomato, eggplant, and other nightshade family plants. (It most often seen on tomato plants) |

When Do They Attack The Tomato Plants?
One of the misconceptions is that adult moths cause damage to tomato plants. It is the larvae (caterpillars) of hawk moths that feed on the leaves and stems of tomato plants. By consuming the leaves, caterpillars impede photosynthesis and other vital biological functions. Ultimately, this will negatively affect fruit quality in a myriad of ways.
Tomato hornworms usually hatch in mid-June and start feeding on tomato plants immediately, becoming noticeable when they reach a size of 1 to 2 inches long.
Usually, they don’t attract small to medium-sized seedlings as it will not be perfect for their food items and they may go for the big plant.
Hornworms usually attack tomato plants in late July or early August, when temperatures are warmest. However, they can be found on tomato plants at any time during the growing season.
Do I Need Concern About Tomato Hornworms?
As per the Data from the USDA, the Economic Research Service indicates that tomatoes are one of America’s favorite vegetables. Last year (2020), U.S. farmers harvested a whopping 24.1 billion pounds of tomato vegetables with nearly all of it coming from California. Indicating that the production of tomatoes is enormous.
Tomato hornworms can cause significant crop damage and should be a concern for tomato growers. To effectively combat Tomato Hornworm, it is essential to recognize the distinct symptoms and take action promptly.

How To Control Tomato Hornworms?
From the field-level experience, I have learned some real-time solutions to prevent damage from Tomato Hornworms.
- Monitoring: Monitor your tomato plants frequently for signs of hornworm infestation. Check for eggs, caterpillars, and damaged leaves.
- Hand-picking: One of the most effective ways to control hornworms is to hand-pick them off the plant and dispose of them in a bucket of soapy water.
- Use of Biological Controls: Ladybugs, parasitic wasps, and lacewings can all be used to help control hornworm populations in the garden.
- Releasing Beneficial Insects: Encourage beneficial insects like praying mantises, ladybugs, and green lacewings into your garden by planting a variety of flowers and herbs.
- Use Natural Insecticides: If other methods fail, you can use a combination of natural insecticides to control hornworms including neem oil, insecticidal soap, or spinosad.
- Crop Rotation: Regularly rotating your crops will ensure that hornworm populations don’t become established in one area.
- Pheromone Traps: You can use pheromone traps to monitor for adult hawkmoths and reduce their presence near your garden.
- Use of Mulch: Covering the soil around your plants with a layer of mulch can help deter hornworms from laying eggs on or near your plants.
- Use row covers: Insect exclusion netting or row covers can be used to protect your plants from adult hawk moths and caterpillars.
- Plant-Resistant Varieties: Planting tomato varieties that are resistant to hornworm damage can help reduce the risk of infestation.
How Many Tomato Hornworms Does It Take to Thrive One Tomato Plant?
The exact number of tomato hornworms needed to cause significant damage depends on the age, health, and size of the plant, a single tomato hornworm is capable of causing considerable destruction in a short period.
However, if you see more than one or two hornworms then you don’t need to worry as they can be visible and you can eradicate them from the host plant. That said, the best way to prevent damage is to be proactive and monitor your tomato plants for signs of hornworm activity.
Conclusion:
It is always important to take preventive measures so that these pests don’t get enough chances to harm your tomato plants. With speedy action and proper control practices in place, Tomato Hornworms can be kept away from your tomato plants.
Frequent monitoring and use of natural insecticides, such as neem oil or spinosad, help in keeping this pest under control. Hope you now have a good understanding of Tomato HornWorms and ways to prevent them.

I am a graduate of Bangladesh Agricultural University, where I delved into various agricultural disciplines, equipping me with a profound understanding of agriculture. Beyond academics, I have hands-on experience in gardening and crop cultivation. My passion is to embrace sustainable farming and horticulture. With a BSc in Agriculture, I am dedicated to promoting environmentally conscious and efficient agrarian practices.
Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Agriculture (Hons.)
Master of Science. (Sustainable Agriculture & Food Security ) (MS)
Bangladesh Agricultural University