Growing on the High Plains: Hungry Caterpillars Make Magnificent Moths

By Skip Mancini

Published August 12, 2021 at 4:43 PM CDT

Today's Growing on the High Plains features a couple of unique garden worms that mature into moth-hood in spectacular fashion.

When you take care of a tomato garden, you come to expect a few freeloaders among the foliage. Today's show will share some insight about the common "tomato hornworm," a greedy gobbler that'll decimate your plants and is difficult to deter. We'll also flutter through the features of a white-lined sphinx moth, whose hyperspeed flitting rivals that of the hummingbird. These critters might be small, but they can serve your garden a punch—and sometimes gardeners return it with a crunch.

Growing on the High Plains

Skip Mancini

Years ago Skip Mancini left the rocky coast of Northern California to return to her roots in the heartland. Her San Francisco friends, concerned over her decision to live in a desolate flatland best known for a Hollywood tornado, were afraid she would wither and die on the vine. With pioneer spirit, Skip planted a garden. She began to learn about growing not only flowers and vegetables, but hearts and minds. If you agree that the prairie is a special place, we think you'll enjoy her weekly sojourns into Growing on the High Plains.

See stories by Skip Mancini