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Hornworm caterpillars are moth larvae of the family Sphingidae (Sphinx moths or Hawk moths). They are a lovely bright green, but they are frequently prey to the parasitoid wasp family Braconidae. The wasps lay their eggs inside the caterpillar, and hatch out into these characteristic cocoons (see picture below). I can’t help but feel sorry for the poor caterpillar, even though it was eating my tomatoes.

This is a hornworm caterpillar (family Sphingidae) heavily parasitized by Braconid wasp cocoons.

This is a beautiful poem. I found it today and instantly fell in love with it.

Hornworm: Autumn Lamentation

Since that first morning when I crawled
into the world, a naked grubby thing,
and found the world unkind,
my dearest faith has been that this
is but a trial: I shall be changed.
In my imaginings I have already spent
my brooding winter underground,
unfolded silky powdered wings, and climbed
into the air, free as a puff of cloud
to sail over the steaming fields,
alighting anywhere I pleased,
thrusting into deep tubular flowers.

It is not so: there may be nectar
in those cups, but not for me.
All day, all night, I carry on my back
embedded in my flesh, two rows
of little white cocoons,
so neatly stacked
they look like eggs in a crate.
And I am eaten half away.

If I can gather strength enough
I’ll try to burrow under a stone
and spin myself a purse
in which to sleep away the cold;
though when the sun kisses the earth
again, I know I won’t be there.
Instead, out of my chrysalis
will break, like robbers from a tomb,
a swarm of parasitic flies,
leaving my wasted husk behind.

Sir, you with the red snippers
in your hand, hovering over me,
casting your shadow, I greet you,
whether you come as an angel of death
or of mercy. But tell me,
before you choose to slice me in two:
Who can understand the ways
of the Great Worm in the Sky?

- Stanley Kunitz

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