Tuesday, August 30, 2005

Is This The Little Bugger?


Is this the hawk moth responsible for the tomato horn worms I wrote about on August 17th?

I found this one hanging around my kitchen window recently, probably on her way to lay eggs (or whatever it is they do) on my tomato plants. That was before I knew she was responsible for the damage to my tomato plants, otherwise, I might have sent her off to her great reward in the sky instead of taking her picture. What an odd-looking cuss!

I am trying to imagine what possible purpose they have in nature. All I can see is that they wreak havoc on vegetation. I wouldn't mind if they ate kudzu, but my tomato plants are off-limits to anyone but me.

I harvested the first tomato yesterday and there are 2 more small ones in progress. I sure hope I get to eat them before the first frost sets in!

8 comments:

Anonymous said...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hawk_moth

They do have a purpose, but it's a very specialised one, apparently. They also serve as food for bats, swifts, and almost anything that can catch them.

Weary Hag said...

Judy it's hard to gain perspective with this photo but that looks like one heck of a scary and HUGE moth! Egad!
Good luck with your tomatos!

Anonymous said...

My widow's group was having this discussion just yesterday at lunch. Everyone was complaining about the tomato bugs and the moths that bring them to us. Ugh!

You know if those tomatoes don't ripen before the frost you can always make my favorite dish...green fried tomatoes.

OldHorsetailSnake said...

Those things are good for providing food for birds. Now all you need are some starlings....

Juno said...

Here, here!! I say we train all the little buggers to eat kudzu and leave our tomatos alone!

Anonymous said...

I think Poopie is going to have to answer this one. I've grown tomatoes, but havent seen this type of moth before.

Your Mother said...

I don't know but it sure is ugly to look at!

Kim said...

This looks like a moth dressed by Bob Mackie...