So after spending the weekend supervising my 16 yr old son and hubby on where (and how) to dig holes to plant the native trees I just brought home, I never did get to writing that post...because I was distracted by these Hornworms...on my Lonicera sempervirens:
I've been keeping an eye out for Hornworms on my tomato plants for years, but never did have to deal with them there (knock on wood). But when I saw them on my native honeysuckle, I thought about getting rid of them. All I'd heard was they were bad...very, very bad.
I vaguely remembered that the cool hummingbird moths that I've enjoyed for several years came from something similar, maybe a Hornworm like this one? I'm not sure...but if that's the case, then they just can't be 'all bad'.
A little Google-searching led me to realize that, yes, Hornworm's can be found on native Honeysuckle and yes, it serves as a host plant for them.
While photographing the Hornworm I noticed clusters of berries on the Lonicera sempervirens. I'm sure the birds will soon enjoy these!
Oh, sorry. Back to the Hornworms!
I'm pretty sure these guys will morph into Hummingbird Clearwing or Snowberry Clearwing moths. Hopefully they won't completely defoliate my Lonicera sempervirens in the process...but even if they do, it will all be fine because the plant won't die and there will be flowers next summer.
So what I'm really trying to say is this: the Clearwing moths are cool (click here to view photos of a Hummingbird Clearwing I captured a couple of years ago)...and, I'm cool with it.
Eat away, Hornworms!
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Facts to remember: The tomato hornworm (Manduca quinquemaculata) becomes the Five-Spotted Hawkmoth--if you don't kill it first (!) and the tobacco hornworm (Manduca sexta) becomes the Carolina Sphinx moth. The hornworm on the native honeysuckle can either be Hemaris diffinis (Snowberry Clearwing) or Hemaris thysbe (Hummingbird Clearwing) moth...not 100% sure which this is, but it's definitely one of the Clearwings. |
What gifts have you discovered today?
Until next time,
Words and photos ©Thanks for today.™, by Jan Huston Doble @ http://www.thanksfor2day.blogspot.com/
Not to be reproduced or re-blogged without express permission of the author.
Very interesting post! Thanks for sharing!!
ReplyDeleteThank you.
DeleteI saw one of those hummingbird clearwing moths a couple of years ago, but I've never seen these caterpillars/hornworms. That last picture, it looks as if it's turning to look at you with its mouth full, saying "OK, you caught me red-handed", lol!
ReplyDeleteI bought a Lonerica Sempiverens "Major Wheeler" last year, but it's done nothing, very disappointing. Then I saw it's for zones 4 - 8 and we're in 9. Must just be too darned hot for it here. Now I'm reading I should have got the "Coral Honeysuckle", which does well down here.
This is the first time I've ever seen hornworms on my Coral Honeysuckle too, Jayne. 'Major Wheeler' is just a cultivar name but it is still taken from the native Coral Honeysuckle...in fact, I have that one too. I didn't know there was even a difference in the zonal survival rate for the straight native vs. the native cultivar...but definitely try it again because it's a great, non-invasive honeysuckle!
DeleteLove them! Love your photos!
ReplyDeleteNancy Vehrs
Thanks Nancy ;)
DeleteI had one eating moonflower blooms. I'm not sure if it's the same kind, but they are probably about the same huge size. I looked for it today, but didn't see it, so maybe it has gone into the next phase of its life.
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by, Sue. Nature sure does keep us busy watching all the crazy activity! I am going to watch and see if I can find where mine are going to pupate. Not sure if they'll have time to metamorphosize before cold weather hits, or if they'll overwinter and come out next year. Guess we'll just have to wait and see...!
DeleteOh my goodness. I feel like a hornworm neophyte now! I've only encountered them on my tomato plants, but then when I really looked at your photos, they are different than the ones I've found. Hummingbird moths are amazing--I haven't seen any in our gardens, but I'll be on the lookout. Thanks so much for such an informative post (and gorgeous photos!)
ReplyDeleteHi Julie...don't worry, I am just as much a neophyte in the hornworm department!! I didn't know they would eat my coral honeysuckle...and at first wasn't sure I should let them stay! Thank goodness for google! Thanks for visiting!
DeleteChomp, chomp! Thanks for the great information Jan. I've had a lot of Clearwings in the garden and now I know from wench they have come...and what's been eating my native lonicera!
ReplyDeleteHi Gail ;) I just learned about these guys, too! I kind of knew the clearwings came from some type of hornworm, but have just never seen them before! Always something new and interesting in our wild gardens, right?!
DeleteBeautiful photos, Jan. I knew the tomato hornworm wasn't the caterpillar of the hummingbird moth, but thought it was an insignificant brown caterpillar -- now I know. I would not harm that little chap, either -- the honeysuckle will come back. P. x
ReplyDeleteHi Pam! I was surprised and excited to find out just exactly what these guys were up to on my native honeysuckle...and certainly feel fine about allowing them to stay!
DeleteI so agree leaving them be. I saw so few hummingbird moths this year compared to other years. I never saw a hornworm on my tomatoes either. Lots of Honeysuckle around, so I must look for them there. Thanks for the tip.
ReplyDeleteYou just never know what's going to show up, do you, DOnna?! I've seen a couple of clearwings this year and took some photos, but they didn't turn out quite as well as ones I'd taken several years ago...so I included 1 from a while back. There are several varieties of hummingbird moths so it'll be interesting to see which this is...a clearwing, a snowberry, or something else?!
DeleteGreat shots of nature in action! Glad these hornworms were 'good' ones.
ReplyDeleteThanks Aerie-el! I was quite pleased about it, myself!! Didn't really want to have to pick them off and dispose of them, haha.
DeleteI had no idea they ate honeysuckle, too. I haven't had any on my tomato plants this year, which is kind of odd. Maybe they were all eating the honeysuckle instead and I just didn't know it. Great photos!
ReplyDeleteIt's a different caterpillar than the tomato hornworm, Tammy. SO just be glad you didn't get those on your tomatos...nothing odd about that! I didn't, either...and I'm happy about that. These on the honeysuckle are a different variety, and it turns out they are nice ones because of who they'll turn into. Can't wait to see mine morph into lovely Clearwings!
DeleteI am so fascinated by the moths, butterflies and caterpillars that haunt my garden. Thanks for the info!
ReplyDeleteThey truly are fascinating, Robin! I've never seen a creature I wasn't interested in learning more about. Fortunately nothing 'deadly' has shown up, yet...!!
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