Which moth species is commonly called the tobacco hornworm?

Manduca sexta is the moth species commonly called the tobacco hornworm.

Its caterpillar is a major agricultural pest of tobacco and also feeds on tomato, pepper, and related plants in the nightshade family. The caterpillar’s distinctive rear horn gives hornworms their common name; the horn is harmless and is not a stinger.

Manduca sexta has also become one of the best-studied insect models in biology. Researchers use it to investigate insect immunity, development, sensory biology, and the relationship between caterpillars and the plants they eat. The adult is a large hawkmoth with brown and gray coloration.

A frequent mix-up is the tomato hornworm, Manduca quinquemaculata. The two species are closely related and can look similar, but they are separate species. Host plants and markings can help distinguish them, although identification may require careful examination.