My Hornworms

[TheLeastOfThese]

I have 4 Hornworms and one has buried itself into the dirt is it pupating?

 

[ERKleRose]

Any pics?

 

[TheLeastOfThese]

No pics as I can't put them on my pc

 

[Chameleoking]

I have 4 Hornworms and one has buried itself into the dirt is it pupating?

Yes, Hornworm bury itself in dirt then reemerge as moths. A hornworm is actually not a worm at all. Do you have Tomato hornworms or Tobacco hornnworms. You can tell by the color of the spike at end of tail. A tomato hornworm has a reddish spike and tobacco hornworm has a black spike.

 

[TheLeastOfThese]

They all have red horns expect one who just has a white bulb for a horn. How can you tell males from females?

 

[Chameleoking]

Not sure about the white ball. Need to see pic to make sure its not parasites. But you can tell male from female during the pupae stage.

 

[Chameleoking]

Here's a pic I got off of chameleon news

 

[Chameleoking]

Examine the ventral tip of the abdomen with a hand lens. Males exhibit 2 small bumps on segment 9, the next to last segment. Segment 9 is smooth on females, and there is a thin groove on segment 8.

 

[TheLeastOfThese]

Can you tell when they become moths? 2nd one under the dirt now.

 

[Chameleoking]

Yes, they emerge from the dirt with wings