Raising your own tobacco hornworm, Manduca sexta, is a great way to learn about insect biology. Its not just about growth and development – but the rate of growth will blow your mind – its about insect behavior, anatomy, and physiology. And its also about natural variation and scientific experimentation, if you take the time to grow more than one Manduca. Students in our Insects and Human Culture course raise their own hornworm over the course of the semester. We’ve developed these videos and recipes to help you do the same.

Setting up Manduca at home
Growing Manduca in the right place
When is Manduca ready for pupation?
Making a happy home for a pupating Manduca
My Manducais ready for college: the transition from the pupal to adult stage.
A closer look: removing your Manduca from the pupation chamber.
An adult Manduca emerges!