Tomato hornworms, Manduca quinquemaculata, are large green caterpillars that devour tomato plants along with other ...

“Tomato plants, in particular, are a favored target for egg-laying by the hawk moth [because] this allows the newly hatched hornworms to begin feeding on the plant immediately,” explains Kantor.

Hundreds of sweet potato hornworms crossed Honoapiilani Highway on Wednesday afternoon, headed in the direction of the Maui Tropical Plantation. Many were squashed but some crossed the road.