Hornworms missing the horn.

[bugmankeith]

I got medium Tobacco Hornworms from mulberry farms. Some have horns, others have no horn, just a slight bump where the horn should be. They are healthy otherwise.

Is there a hornless variety or is something else causing this?

 

[Galapoheros]

Hm, never heard of that. Hope that helps, HA! Really, I've never heard of that. Don't know if they broke off or what? Is it smooth where they normally would be?

 

[bugmankeith]

Yes it's smooth and doesnt appear to have any cuts.

One with that molted, and the area remained the same.

Could be it broke off from another biting it off, and once that happens it doesnt grow back?

Hornworms are aggressive and their jaws are sharp, and having 25 in the same jar cant be good.

 

[Galapoheros]

Yea you might be right. Also, maybe they get bent from it being too crowded and blood doesn't make it to the horn so the horn dies, then it loses it the molt after and it doesn't come back. Just more guessing .