Sphinx moth caterpillars (A/K/A : Tomatoe Hornworm/ Tobacco Hornworm) can be controlled both naturally and organicly .
Sphinx moth caterpillars are preyed upon by many creatures, including mantids, assassin bugs, birds, and spiders.
Some sphinx caterpillars are partially defended by chemicals that they received from their food plants.
For instance, the tobacco hornworm caterpillar gets nicotine, which is a poison to most animals, from tobacco.
Also , since they are a member of the family Lepodoptera (moth/butterfly), they can be controlled naturally through biological controls.
A biological control organism that is also highly effective and sold commonly is Bacillus thuringiensis (e.g., Dipel, Thuricide).
Hornworm larvae can also be hand-picked although they are surprisingly difficult to detect because of their camo coloration.
Larvae tend to feed on the exterior parts of plants during shadier periods, near dusk and dawn,
when they may also be more readily observed and destroyed.
Bacillus thuringiensis gives the insect lepodoptera a terminal flu, and is naturally occurring control .
Since the pupae overwinter in the soil , fall clean up is essential in its control . Don't compost infected plants in the fall season !
Praise the Lord, I got an email from Johnny. He says he is okay and his emails have not been going through to me (and I think he meant others as well). So, if he was usually sending some of you emails, that is why you haven’t heard from him.
Marcella
Thanks for the information!