Re: I hope this makes a pretty butterfly

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They make a very pretty moth... Pictures and info to follow!

The larvae (caterpillar) of the tomato hornworm are light or dark green, with a black horn at its rear, somewhere between 3? to 4? long when fully grown. They are very difficult to see, as they blend in with the local forage quite well. The caterpillars feed for about a month, and then drop to the ground and form a pupa to hibernate. These caterpillars can destroy your entire crop of tomatoes, and are a serious threat to your garden.

A large, rather spectacular sphinx moth, with a wingspan of four to five inches, usually with yellow and white markings, others with orange spots. It emerges from the ground in spring, lays a single egg on the undersides of leaves and soon dies. They are sometimes known as hummingbird or hawk moths because of their large size and the fact that they feed like a hummingbird. They normally fly only at twilight, which is why most gardeners don?t see them during the day. In northern climates, there is only one generation of moths, but in southern zones, two are more common.

----- Original Message -----

From: n*@gmail.com

To: iris-photos@yahoogroups.com

Sent: Thursday, August 09, 2007 12:07 PM

Subject: Re: [iris-photos] I hope this makes a pretty butterfly

Reminds me of the Tomatoe Horn Worm.  I remember them from the garden as a kid, but haven't seen one recently.  Here is a site on line that has some info.

http://organicgardensite.com/?p=56

Have a great day!
Linda

On 8/9/07, Linda Smith <irisgrower@cableone.net> wrote:

It is not bothering the iris though, so far.   Yes, I have a few tomato plants growing among the iris. Or rather what's left of them.   Got to look up what this looks like as a butterfly or does someone already know?.  It better be pretty. HA!     The message is ready to be sent with the following file or link attachments: Caterpillar ate My tomato   Linda in CW AZ