Hobbies And Interests
Larva Diet
In the larva stage, the tobacco hornworm caterpillar feeds mostly on the foliage of tobacco plants. However, it also feeds on other members of the Solanaceae family such as potatoes, tomatoes and peppers. The caterpillar is sensitive to intense light; it feeds on the underside of the plant leaf during the day and the outer portion at night. Unlike most insects, the tobacco hornworm is immune to the toxic effects of nicotine.
Adult Moth Diet
As an adult moth, the tobacco hornworm feeds at dusk on different types of flower nectars including moonflowers, Japanese honeysuckle and petunias. Studies published in 2009 by the Proceedings of the Royal Society: Biological Sciences suggest that β-carotene intake during the larval stage affects adult foraging behavior. The researchers at the University of South Carolina found that caterpillars fed with more β-carotene are more likely to feed on unscented flowers as adult moths.
Laboratory Diet
Tobacco hornworms are reared in the laboratory to determine suitable methods for pest control and as model organisms to study biochemical processes. In the laboratory, the tobacco hornworm is fed leaves from plants of the night-shade family. Typically, the plants are grown from seed under controlled conditions.