Tomato Hornworms on Bell Peppers: ID & Organic Removal

Large green worm eating bell pepper leaves. Asks what it is.

ID: Tomato Hornworm (Manduca quinquemaculata) or Tobacco Hornworm (M. sexta)

• Large (3‑4"), green, diagonal white stripes, rear horn.
• Feed on Solanaceae: tomato, pepper, eggplant, potato.
• Camouflaged—often found by droppings (black pellets) on leaves.

Organic Control

1. Hand‑pick (wear gloves—horn can prick). Drop in soapy water or feed to chickens.
2. Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis kurstaki) spray—caterpillars eat, stop feeding, die.
3. Diatomaceous earth dusted on plants—abrasive to soft bodies.
4. Beneficials: Braconid wasps lay eggs on hornworms (white rice‑like cocoons). Leave parasitized ones!

Prevention

• Till soil in fall to expose pupae.
• Rotate crops.
• Interplant with dill, borage (attract wasps).

Hornworms are dramatic but manageable with daily scouting.