Hornworm Moth?

cacoseraph · Hornworm Moth?

i think i have a hornworm moth. i put it in a paper bag to see if it will oviposit (it has very skinny and non-feathery antenna). unless someone wants it and can tell me how to keep it until the bbq or something i am going to let it go after a while, eggs or no

i hope it lays eggs. the caterpillars look like they would be awesome feeders. i need to research them to make sure they aren't live plant eaters only or toxic or whatever, too, of course

rosenkrieger

Hornworms make great feeders for reptiles. Never could get my T to touch them though. As far as I know, they aren't toxic as long as you dont let them eat tomato plants.

Habibi18

Well I never thought about them being toxic because they feed on tomato plants. But now this has got me thinking are there tomato plants that are toxic?

Hopefully if they're species that are toxic that humans don't eat them. Razz

Celeste

Habibi,

the leaves and stems of tomato (and potato) plants *are* toxic -- just not the tubers (potatoes) or the fruit (tomatoes), obviously. They are members of the nightshade family, along with bell peppers, etc.

Here are a couple of links:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solanaceae
http://www.deliciousorganics.com/Controversies/nightshade.htm

I actually have martial artist friends who will not eat potatoes or tomatoes or bell peppers because they claim they are not good for you.

But I'm a "spud-o-holic", and will never give up my potatoes!

-- Celeste

Habibi18

Thanks!

rosenkrieger

Ah, I didn't know that. I just knew that tomatoes were toxic to reptiles.

Habibi18

I didn't know that tomatoes were toxic to reptiles.