Tomato Hornworm

Tomato hornworms are large, green caterpillars with white or yellow 'V' shaped markings along their sides and a distinctive black 'horn' on their rear end. They can grow up to 4 inches long. Look for the telltale horn and the diagonal stripes.

The most obvious sign of a tomato hornworm infestation is defoliation of tomato, pepper, eggplant, and potato plants. You may find large portions of leaves missing or even entire plants stripped bare. Dark green or black droppings (frass) may also be present on the leaves or ground beneath the affected plants in your Myrtle Beach garden.

MBPC offers targeted treatments for tomato hornworm infestations in the Grand Strand area. Our licensed technicians can apply safe and effective insecticides to control the caterpillars without harming beneficial insects. We always follow SC Department of Pesticide Regulation guidelines for responsible pest control in residential gardens and agricultural settings.

Regularly inspect your tomato and vegetable plants for signs of hornworms, especially during the summer months. Hand-picking the caterpillars off plants is an effective control method for small infestations. Encourage beneficial insects like parasitic wasps, which naturally prey on hornworms, by planting flowering plants near your vegetable garden in your Myrtle Beach home.

Tomato hornworms are commonly found in vegetable gardens throughout the Myrtle Beach area, particularly those with tomato, pepper, eggplant, and potato plants. They thrive in the warm, humid conditions of our coastal South Carolina climate. They are most active during the summer months when their host plants are actively growing.

Peak activity: Summer