Caring for tomato hornworms?

Question

i found a tomato horn worm in my garden and was wondering if anyone knows how to care for it, indoors in a cage... any help or websites anyone knows would be great!

Answer 1

MY LITTLE BOY JUST DID THIS.  WE PUT A BUNCH OF DIRT IN THE BOTTOM OF THE AQUARIUM WHEN HE WAS READY TO FORM A CHRYSALIS AND PUT ALUMINUM FOIL OVER THE TOP OF IT.

IT TOOK HIM A LITTLE OVER 2 WEEKS TO HATCH.  AND GUESS WHAT?  HE FINALLY HATCHED TODAY.  I PUT HIM IN THE FLOWER GARDEN TO DRY OFF THIS EVENING.  HIS NAME IS TUFFY

Answer 2

That cute little green hornworm will grow into a rather large moth, known by some as the hummingbird moth, by others as the Sphinx moth, and by some gardenerrs as that #$@#$#@ pest.

The hornworm will eat any plant in the solanacea family, which includes the tomato, pepper, potato and eggplant and many flowers and weeds.  Silverleaf nightshade, a common weed here in the desert southwest, is also part of the family and I place the hornworms on those plants so that they leave the tomatoes alone.  I always leave a few silverleaf nightshade standing to feed the caterpillars.

Although the moths are voracious tomato plant eaters that can totally defoliate a plant overnight, many birders love this moth because it flies like a hummingbird and even looks like one, as the moth eats the same tubular flowers as the hummingbird.

A cage, BTW, won't work as the caterpillar could slither out.  Get a cage with 1/4" holes, no larger if you go that route.  A teranium would also be good as the hornworms don't really like bright light.  That's why they tend to hang on the undersides of leaves.  

Answer 3

I don't know for sure, but I bet it will be fine in a cage with a lot of tomato plant leaves and tomatoes to eat.

If you found one in your garden, chances are good that there will be lots more soon and you will need to find another source of food for your pet, because they eat a lot of tomato plant material.  

Answer 4

-Keep it supplied with a fresh piece of Tomato Plant every day- & see what Develops! -You never know...  :0

Answer 5

you can try this

http://gardening-tips-idea.com/TomatoHor...