Force feeding Hornworms!! Better not post this on the OK forum. LOL!!

That's no kidding, Sandy! I think TW already got a pretty good lashing over there!

TW - I've never experienced food refusal, so don't know what to think of that. Of course, I've never raised that many at one time either.

Good luck with pupation. Some may overwinter as pupae and emerge next spring.

Susan

Shoot! Next year, I can guarantee not only 20x more tomatoes and peppers, but will have eggplants, Daturas and even real tobacco in abundance, along with a border of four o' clocks. If I don't find at least 100 or more worms next year, I'm just not doing it right. LOL! The four o' clocks are for the white-lined sphinx.

Haha! Yes, I can't tell you how many people come into the butterfly house, look at Tobacco Hornworms, and tell me how they squish them, or were paid by parents, grandparents, etc. to squish them.

Your love of them is infectious!
Cheers,
Elisabeth

I'm so glad to hear there's somebody out there who loves those tomato/pepper plant eaters!
Good luck in your efforts!
Sherry

It's too bad out of fear and ignorance, so many insects are needlessly destroyed. I can see controlling hornworms that get too populous on a few tomato plants, but as so many true moth enthusiasts know, no one or even half dozen big hornworms are going ot flat-out KILL an established tomato plant. Furthermore, by eating away excess foliage, they do prompt the plant to express more fruit.

So what if catalpa hornworms are numerous enough to defoliate that tree? It does not kill it. Leaves will grow the next year. Spraying to kill them, not only poisons wildlife, but upsets nature's balance, as this sphingid was MEANT to be en masse, in order to feed wildlife. They are valuable fish bait and treats for chickens, softbilled cage birds and of course reptiles and amphibians kept as pets.