Something to climb. Gutter guard works well for this. The easiest way to do this is by cutting out a 'window' and using hot glue to adhere fine mesh over the opening. If you want to use a different container for housing your hornworms, here is what you will need: When storing your hornworms, the cup should be placed lid-down to make removal of droppings easier. Housing Your HornwormsĬaptive-bred hornworms are generally sold in 32 oz deli cups with a mesh or perforated cover, a climbing lattice, and enough food to last 1-2 weeks. Fortunately, they are perfectly edible to pets, and can be offered via feeding tweezers. Hornworm moths are considered an invasive species and should not be released into the wild if your hornworms pupate. The captive diet turns them a turquoise color that seems to be especially attractive to reptiles. This diet makes them rather toxic to eat, however, so captive-bred hornworms receive a different diet.

They are especially fond of nightshade family plants such as tomatoes, eggplant, peppers, and tobacco, which makes them a common garden pest. Hornworms' color comes from the plants that they eat. They also have a soft 'horn' on their tail end. In nature, hornworms are pale green with spots along the sides of their bodies that resemble eyes to ward off bird predators. Most hornworms used as feeders are Manduca sexta, also known as the tobacco hornworm. They are the larvae (caterpillars) of Manduca genus hawk moths/sphinx moths. Hornworms are a popular feeder for insectivorous and omnivorous pet reptiles and amphibians.

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