Hornworms are caterpillars that turn into a moth after pupation.
There are two similar species: the tobacco hornworm (with a red horn) and the tomato hornworm (with a black horn). Wild hornworms are pests, but a lot of hornworms are produced in captivity as pet food for various insectivores.
![Manduca sexta.](/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Manduca-sexta-adult-moth.jpg)
The adult moth form of Manduca sexta. This specimen has metamorphosed from an uneaten horn worm that has managed to hide inside a terrarium and pupate. Even though I have seen some claims on-line that hornworms fed only their chow cannot successfully pupate I now have to disagree.
While researching this article I have found several recipes how to cook hornworms for human consumption — the curious thing about them was that they weren’t food consumed in some exotic location, but North American ‘western’ food items made out of caterpillars.
Further Readings:
Tobacco Hornworm (Manduca sexta) – Encyclopedia of Life.
The Worm Lady Hornworms.
Manduca sexta on Wikipedia.
Manduca quinquemaculata on Wikipedia.
Fried Green Tomato Hornworms on The Daily Meal.
![Manduca sexta](/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Manduca-sexta-adult-moth-hanging-300x300.jpg)