Wing span: 129mm
Flight time: May - October
Subfamily: Sphinginae
Identification: Abdomen usually has 5 but sometimes 6 pairs of yellow bands. Forewing is blurry brown and gray. Hindwing is banded with brown and white and has 2 well-separated median zigzag bands. Forewing fringes are grayish, not distinctly spotted with white.
Wing Span: 3 9/16 - 5 5/16 inches (9 - 13.5 cm).
Life History: Adults fly at dusk, and females deposit eggs singly on the upper surface of host plant leaves. The caterpillars are called Tomato Hornworms and each has a black horn at the end of the abdomen. Caterpillars have huge appetites for leaves and fruits and can defoliate plants quickly. Fully-grown caterpillars pupate and overwinter in soil burrows.
Flight: . Several broods from February-October in Florida and from April-October in Louisiana, at least two broods from May-October in the rest of the range.
Caterpillar Hosts: Potato, tobacco, tomato, and other plants in the nightshade family (Solanaceae).
Adult Food: Nectar from flowers including Japanese honeysuckle (Lonicera japonica), petunia (Petunia hybrida), bouncing bet (Saponaria officinalis), tobacco (Nicotiana), and phlox (Phlox).
Habitat: Tobacco fields, vegetable gardens, and wherever host plants are found.
Range: Mexico north throughout most of the United States and occasionally southern Canada, but it is uncommon in the Southeast and the Great Plains.
Conservation: Not usually required.
NCGR: G5 - Demonstrably secure globally, though it may be quite rare in parts of its range, especially at the periphery.
Management Needs: Caterpillars are pests on tomato and other plants in the nightshade family (Solanaceae).
Record # | Date | Locale | State | Lat/Lon | Collected By | Count |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
243230 | 2019-08-26 | Ames, Paul | Iowa | 42.02064 -93.623952 | Paul Martsching | 1 |
356503 | 2018-08-07 | Jewell Prairie | Iowa | 43.320278 -91.826944 | Lena Schmitt | 1 |
348635 | 2018-07-01 | Near Fairfield | Iowa | 41.0503 -92.024 | Moni Hayne | 1 |
238870 | 2018-06-29 | Near Fairfield | Iowa | 41.0503 -92.024 | Moni Hayne | 1 |
229647 | 2018-06-20 | Near Fairfield | Iowa | 41.0503 -92.024 | Moni Hayne | 1 |
194231 | 2017-07-22 | Hitaga Sand Ridge Prairie Preserve | Iowa | 42.250957 -91.632098 | Jim Durbin | 1 |
209282 | 2017-06-21 | Near Fairfield | Iowa | 41.0503 -92.024 | Moni Hayne | 1 |
132669 | 2015-09-22 | Decatur County, Iowa | Iowa | Location Protected | Sibylla Brown | 1 |
108516 | 2014-08-29 | Hitaga Sand Ridge Prairie Preserve | Iowa | 42.249489 -91.629911 | Tom Jantscher | 1 |
110344 | 2014-08-28 | Red Oak | Iowa | 41.0191929 -95.2281089 | 1 | |
67734 | 2014-08-27 | 2505 Tullamore Lane, Ames | Iowa | 42.088653 -93.578813 | MJ Hatfield | 1 |
120383 | 2014-08-25 | Timberhill | Iowa | 40.715921 -93.651635 | Sibylla Brown | 1 |
35439 | 2013-09-30 | Noelridge Park | Iowa | 42.02694 -91.65694 | Tom Jantscher | 1 |
111220 | 2013-09-11 | Polk County, Iowa | Iowa | Location Protected | Aaron Brees | 1 |
111219 | 2013-09-10 | Polk County, Iowa | Iowa | Location Protected | Aaron Brees | 1 |
4162 | 2013-08-15 | Webster County | Iowa | 42.533565 -94.185998 | BAMONA | 1 |
110400 | 2013-08-15 | Fort Dodge | Iowa | 42.533565 -94.185999 | 1 | |
35427 | 2012-10-04 | Algona | Iowa | 43.06998 -94.23295 | Matt Kenne | 1 |
35428 | 2012-09-08 | Sapp Bros Travel Center | Iowa | 40.68972 -95.78833 | Tom Jantscher | 1 |
35431 | 2012-07-29 | Hitaga Sand Ridge Prairie Preserve | Iowa | 42.24944 -91.63056 | Tom Jantscher | 1 |
4161 | 2012-07-27 | Webster County | Iowa | 42.533565 -94.185998 | BAMONA | 1 |
35430 | 2012-06-27 | Wickiup Hill Outdoor Learning Area | Iowa | 42.08361 -91.76139 | Tom Jantscher | 1 |
35429 | 2012-06-24 | Hitaga Sand Ridge Prairie Preserve | Iowa | 42.24944 -91.63056 | Tom Jantscher | 1 |
35424 | 2011-10-25 | Junction of 36th St and Mt Vernon Rd SE | Iowa | 41.976 -91.6169 | Mary Taylor | 1 |
357661 | 2011-10-03 | Luther College | Iowa | 43.313381 -91.800383 | Molly McHenry | 1 |
35444 | 2011-09-09 | Hitaga Sand Ridge Prairie Preserve | Iowa | 42.24944 -91.63028 | Tom Jantscher | 1 |
4158 | 2011-09-04 | Noelridge Park | Iowa | 42.0269854 -91.657559 | BAMONA | 1 |
35443 | 2011-09-04 | Noelridge Park | Iowa | 42.02694 -91.65694 | Tom Jantscher | 1 |
35442 | 2011-09-02 | Hitaga Sand Ridge Prairie Preserve | Iowa | 42.24944 -91.63028 | Tom Jantscher | 1 |
357763 | 2011-09-01 | Luther College Sign | Iowa | 43.3204 -91.8139 | Rachelle Zehr | 1 |
35422 | 2011-08-31 | Marietta Sand Prairie State Preserve | Iowa | 42.099164 -93.038965 | Frank Olsen | 1 |
35423 | 2011-08-31 | Marietta Sand Prairie State Preserve | Iowa | 42.099164 -93.038965 | Frank Olsen | 1 |
35425 | 2011-05-18 | Puccoon Prairie | Iowa | 41.73528 -93.36417 | Keith Summerville | 1 |
35426 | 2011-05-18 | Chichaqua Bottoms Sandhill Prairie | Iowa | 41.77278 -93.385 | Keith Summerville | 1 |
4160 | 2010-10-10 | Flummerfelt Homes | Iowa | 42.006288 -93.47 | BAMONA | 1 |
35421 | 2010-10-10 | Story County Animal Shelter | Iowa | 42.02306 -93.47 | Tom Jantscher | 1 |
35436 | 2010-10-10 | Flummerfelt Homes | Iowa | 42.00628 -93.47 | BAMONA | 1 |
203945 | 2009-05-22 | Ames, Paul | Iowa | 42.02064 -93.623952 | Paul Martsching | 1 |
35420 | 2008-09-10 | Kum and Go, Lincoln Way and South Dakota Ave | Iowa | 42.0225 -93.68333 | Tom Jantscher | 1 |
35419 | 2008-08-30 | Hunziker Youth Sports Complex | Iowa | 42.00278 -93.59806 | Tom Jantscher | 1 |
35418 | 2008-08-06 | McDonalds | Iowa | 42.02361 -93.66833 | Tom Jantscher | 1 |
65359 | 2008-08-06 | Junction of Y Ave and Lincoln Way | Iowa | 42.02222222 -93.69805556 | Tom Jantscher | 1 |
35416 | 2008-08-04 | Ames, Paul | Iowa | 42.02064 -93.623952 | Tom Jantscher | 1 |
35417 | 2008-06-16 | Hunziker Youth Sports Complex | Iowa | 42.00278 -93.59806 | Tom Jantscher | 1 |
35411 | 2007-10-17 | 5031 Old Lyddane Bridge Road | Kentucky | 37.746807 -87.185997 | Jim Durbin | 1 |
35410 | 2007-08-21 | Wickiup Hill Outdoor Learning Area | Iowa | 42.08398 -91.7651 | Jim Durbin | 1 |
125152 | 2007-08-15 | Ames, Paul | Iowa | 42.02064 -93.623952 | Paul Martsching | 1 |
125151 | 2007-07-15 | Ames, Paul | Iowa | 42.02064 -93.623952 | Paul Martsching | 1 |
125150 | 2007-06-20 | Ames, Paul | Iowa | 42.02064 -93.623952 | Paul Martsching | 1 |
35438 | 2006-09-26 | Veenker Memorial Golf Course | Iowa | 42.04111 -93.64694 | Tom Jantscher | 1 |
35409 | 2006-08-29 | Nevada | Iowa | 42.01972 -93.44668 | Jim Durbin | 1 |
109471 | 2006-08-27 | 2505 Tullamore Lane, Ames | Iowa | 42.088653 -93.578813 | MJ Hatfield | 1 |
203944 | 2006-08-15 | Ames, Paul | Iowa | 42.02064 -93.623952 | Paul Martsching | 1 |
125149 | 2006-08-11 | Ames, Paul | Iowa | 42.02064 -93.623952 | Paul Martsching | 2 |
203941 | 2006-08-11 | Ames, Paul | Iowa | 42.02064 -93.623952 | Paul Martsching | 1 |
35415 | 2006-08-09 | 2505 Tullamore Lane, Ames | Iowa | 42.088653 -93.578813 | MJ Hatfield | 1 |
128692 | 2006-08-07 | 2505 Tullamore Lane, Ames | Iowa | 42.088653 -93.578813 | MJ Hatfield | 1 |
203940 | 2006-08-07 | Ames, Paul | Iowa | 42.02064 -93.623952 | Paul Martsching | 1 |
125148 | 2006-07-31 | Ames, Paul | Iowa | 42.02064 -93.623952 | Paul Martsching | 1 |
203939 | 2006-07-31 | Ames, Paul | Iowa | 42.02064 -93.623952 | Paul Martsching | 1 |
203943 | 2006-07-15 | Ames, Paul | Iowa | 42.02064 -93.623952 | Paul Martsching | 1 |
203942 | 2006-06-20 | Ames, Paul | Iowa | 42.02064 -93.623952 | Paul Martsching | 1 |
35412 | 2006-06-05 | Linn County, Iowa | Iowa | Location Protected | Frank Olsen | 1 |
70676 | 2006-05-25 | Puccoon Prairie | Iowa | 41.73528 -93.36417 | Keith Summerville | 1 |
70677 | 2006-05-25 | Chichaqua Bottoms Sandhill Prairie | Iowa | 41.77278 -93.385 | Keith Summerville | 1 |
70678 | 2006-05-25 | Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge | Iowa | 41.57639 -93.265 | Keith Summerville | 2 |
125147 | 2005-10-01 | Ames, Paul | Iowa | 42.02064 -93.623952 | Paul Martsching | 1 |
203938 | 2005-10-01 | Ames, Paul | Iowa | 42.02064 -93.623952 | Paul Martsching | 1 |
125144 | 2003-09-11 | Ames, Paul | Iowa | 42.02064 -93.623952 | Paul Martsching | 2 |
125146 | 2003-08-16 | Ames, Paul | Iowa | 42.02064 -93.623952 | Paul Martsching | 1 |
203937 | 2003-08-16 | Ames, Paul | Iowa | 42.02064 -93.623952 | Paul Martsching | 1 |
35432 | 2002-09-22 | Noelridge Park | Iowa | 42.02694 -91.6575 | Frank Olsen | 1 |
203936 | 2002-09-17 | Ames, Paul | Iowa | 42.02064 -93.623952 | Paul Martsching | 1 |
35414 | 2002-09-09 | Calmar | Iowa | 43.1812 -91.8636 | D Schneberger | 1 |
125145 | 2002-09-01 | Ames, Paul | Iowa | 42.02064 -93.623952 | Paul Martsching | 1 |
35404 | 2002-07-02 | Rock Island Botanical State Preserve | Iowa | 42.02732 -91.72723 | Jim Durbin | 1 |
35405 | 2002-07-02 | Rock Island Botanical State Preserve | Iowa | 42.02732 -91.72723 | Jim Durbin | 1 |
35406 | 2002-07-02 | Rock Island Botanical State Preserve | Iowa | 42.02732 -91.72723 | Jim Durbin | 1 |
35407 | 2002-07-02 | Rock Island Botanical State Preserve | Iowa | 42.02732 -91.72723 | Jim Durbin | 1 |
203935 | 2001-09-11 | Ames, Paul | Iowa | 42.02064 -93.623952 | Paul Martsching | 2 |
35413 | 2001-09-05 | Linn County, Iowa | Iowa | Location Protected | Keith Erickson | 1 |
125143 | 2001-06-13 | Ames, Paul | Iowa | 42.02064 -93.623952 | Paul Martsching | 2 |
203934 | 2001-06-13 | Ames, Paul | Iowa | 42.02064 -93.623952 | Paul Martsching | 2 |
143899 | 2000-09-10 | Linn County, Iowa | Iowa | Location Protected | Frank Olsen | 1 |
203933 | 2000-09-09 | Ames, Paul | Iowa | 42.02064 -93.623952 | Paul Martsching | 3 |
125142 | 2000-09-01 | Ames, Paul | Iowa | 42.02064 -93.623952 | Paul Martsching | 3 |
203932 | 2000-08-15 | Ames, Paul | Iowa | 42.02064 -93.623952 | Paul Martsching | 4 |
125141 | 2000-08-01 | Ames, Paul | Iowa | 42.02064 -93.623952 | Paul Martsching | 4 |
35408 | 2000-07-15 | Rock Island Botanical State Preserve | Iowa | 42.02732 -91.72723 | Jim Durbin | 1 |
125140 | 2000-06-09 | Ames, Paul | Iowa | 42.02064 -93.623952 | Paul Martsching | 1 |
203931 | 2000-06-09 | Ames, Paul | Iowa | 42.02064 -93.623952 | Paul Martsching | 1 |
125139 | 1999-09-03 | Ames, Paul | Iowa | 42.02064 -93.623952 | Paul Martsching | 1 |
203930 | 1999-09-03 | Ames, Paul | Iowa | 42.02064 -93.623952 | Paul Martsching | 1 |
203929 | 1999-08-15 | Ames, Paul | Iowa | 42.02064 -93.623952 | Paul Martsching | 2 |
125138 | 1999-08-01 | Ames, Paul | Iowa | 42.02064 -93.623952 | Paul Martsching | 2 |
125137 | 1999-07-22 | Ames, Paul | Iowa | 42.02064 -93.623952 | Paul Martsching | 2 |
203928 | 1999-07-22 | Ames, Paul | Iowa | 42.02064 -93.623952 | Paul Martsching | 2 |
125136 | 1963-08-13 | Ames, Paul | Iowa | 42.02064 -93.623952 | Paul Martsching | 1 |
138004 | 1963-08-13 | Ames, Paul | Iowa | 42.02064 -93.623952 | Paul Martsching | 1 |
203927 | 1963-08-13 | Ames, Paul | Iowa | 42.02064 -93.623952 | Paul Martsching | 1 |
4156 | 1950-08-01 | Franklin County | Iowa | 42.737236 -93.33889 | USGS - NPWRC | 1 |
4157 | 1950-08-01 | Hardin County | Iowa | 42.428543 -93.177963 | USGS - NPWRC | 1 |
4159 | 1950-08-01 | Sioux County | Iowa | 43.086994 -96.152695 | USGS - NPWRC | 1 |
35433 | 1950-08-01 | Franklin County | Iowa | 42.73723 -93.33889 | unknown | 1 |
35434 | 1950-08-01 | Hardin County | Iowa | 42.4285 -93.1779 | unknown | 1 |
35435 | 1950-08-01 | Sioux County | Iowa | 43.08699 -96.15269 | BAMONA | 1 |
35440 | 1950-08-01 | Franklin County | Iowa | 42.73724 -93.33889 | unknown | 1 |
35441 | 1950-08-01 | Hardin County | Iowa | 42.42854 -93.17796 | unknown | 1 |