description Carolina sphinx Overview
Manduca sexta, commonly called the Carolina sphinx moth or tobacco hawkmoth, is a sphingid moth found in the Americas. Its larva is known as the tobacco hornworm and feeds on plants in the nightshade family, including tobacco and tomato relatives. Carl Linnaeus described the species in 1763. Because its larval and adult stages can be maintained and studied experimentally, M.
sexta is widely used as a laboratory model in biology and entomology.
help Carolina sphinx FAQ
What is the Carolina sphinx moth's scientific name?
The Carolina sphinx moth is Manduca sexta, a sphingid moth found across parts of the Americas. Carl Linnaeus described the species.
What is a tobacco hornworm?
A tobacco hornworm is the caterpillar, or larval stage, of Manduca sexta. It feeds on nightshade-family plants such as tobacco, tomato, pepper, and related species.
Is the Carolina sphinx moth the same as a tomato hornworm?
No. The tobacco hornworm is Manduca sexta, while the closely related tomato hornworm is usually Manduca quinquemaculata. Their caterpillars can look similar but are different species.
What does the adult Carolina sphinx moth look like?
The adult is a large hawkmoth with a robust body and narrow, pointed wings. Like other sphinx moths, it is adapted for strong, hovering flight and is often active at night.
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