Tobacco Hornworms of Ainsworth

There was a smooth ground cherry plant out by my garden with a magnificent crop of fruit … until this guy came along:


(Click on image to enlarge)

Better known as the destroyer of tomatoes (along with the tomato hornworm), apparently tobacco hornworms like destroying ground cherries too. This one is hiding its ugly little face behind the ground cherry it was devouring.

It will grow up to be a Sphinx moth — if I understand correctly, one of those moths that hover like hummingbirds to drink nectar from flowers. I like those moths.