Tobacco Hornworms

Norman's camp at the Museum of Life and Science this week was called "Insect Olympics". They each cared for a Tobacco Hornworm during class, and were given the opportunity to take them home when the camp ended today. Apparently some kids declined (or more likely, their parents declined), so Norman brought home his worm and also an unclaimed worm for Boo to have. They have slightly larger habitats now, reusable plastic containers with air holes punched in the lids (which are thus no longer reusable except as critter habitats). We don't have any tobacco leaves handy, so I did a bit of online research about their diet. Norman's worm ate tofu and tomato leaves during the week (and has been named Tofu), neither of which we have on hand. Instead we're trying tomato and eggplant for now.

Here's Norman's worm, Tofu:

And Boo's currently unnamed worm:

Hopefully we can keep them alive long enough to turn into moths, which would be pretty cool. Apparently they pupate (cocoon) underground.