Manduca quinquemaculatus

Haworth, 1803

Five-spotted Hawk Moth, Tomato Hornworm

Manduca quinquemaculatus, commonly known as the five-spotted hawk moth or , is a large sphinx moth whose caterpillar is a significant agricultural pest. The has a wingspan up to 5 inches (12 cm) and is a strong flier active at night. The larval stage feeds primarily on tomatoes and other Solanaceae plants, causing extensive defoliation when are high. The is closely related to and often confused with the (Manduca sexta).

Manduca quinquemaculatus BMNHE272240 male up by The Trustees of the Natural History Museum, London. Used under a CC BY 3.0 license.

Manduca quinquemaculatus BMNHE273591 female up by The Trustees of the Natural History Museum, London. Used under a CC BY 3.0 license.

Manduca quinquemaculatus BMNHE272240 male un by The Trustees of the Natural History Museum, London. Used under a CC BY 3.0 license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Manduca quinquemaculatus: /ˈmændʊkə ˌkwɪŋkweɪmækjʊˈleɪtəs/

These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.

Identification

Distinguished from the similar (Manduca sexta) by: eight V-shaped white lateral markings without black borders (versus seven diagonal white lines with black borders in M. sexta); dark blue or black terminal horn (versus red horn in M. sexta). can be separated from other Manduca by the five spotted pattern on the hindwing. (droppings) around plant base often reveals presence before caterpillars are seen.

Images

Habitat

Gardens, agricultural fields, and natural areas with plants. Larvae found on Solanaceae plants, particularly tomato, where they remain near the main stem during daylight hours. attracted to artificial lights at night. Distribution extends across North America including southern Canada (Alberta, Manitoba, Saskatchewan) and the United States.

Distribution

North America: present throughout much of the United States and southern Canada. Specific records from Alberta, Manitoba, and Saskatchewan in Canada. Doubtful record from Belgium.

Seasonality

Two per year in most areas. Larvae most common in midsummer, with possible smaller peak in late summer. active from late spring through summer; observed at lights in July in Colorado. Winter passed in pupal stage.

Diet

Larva feeds on Solanaceae: primarily tomato, also eggplant, pepper, potato, and tobacco. Feeds on upper leaf portions, new stems, and occasionally fruit. feeds on nectar from tubular flowers including honeysuckle, trumpet vines, phlox, and petunia.

Life Cycle

laid on undersurface of leaves. Five to six larval instars over approximately three weeks. First instar has been observed to possess silk-producing structures (spigot and Lyonet's glands) used for creating molting pads and rappelling threads, though this capability is lost in later instars. Final instar burrows into soil or leaf litter to pupate. Development takes about two months in summer; pupa overwinters, with development suspended until spring warmth triggers .

Behavior

is a strong flier. Larva is cryptic, remaining near main stems during daylight and moving to outer plant portions at dusk and dawn. When disturbed, larva rears into a sphinx-like pose. Larva has been observed to regurgitate plant fluid when attacked.

Ecological Role

serves as for tubular flowers. Larva acts as significant herbivore, capable of extensive defoliation. Subject to by braconid wasps (Cotesia spp.), which can effectively control .

Human Relevance

Major pest of tomato gardens and commercial tomato production. Caterpillars cause extensive defoliation and fruit damage. Often used in educational settings and museum displays due to large size and dramatic appearance. Closely related to M. sexta, which is a widely used model organism in neurobiology and developmental research.

Similar Taxa

Manduca sexta; distinguished by seven diagonal white lines with black borders (versus eight V-shaped marks without borders), red terminal horn (versus dark blue/black), and different hindwing pattern.