Tobacco hornworm (Manduca sexta) with a damaged tobacco plant, artwork. This species is common throughout North America. Eggs (right, lower) are laid on the underside of the leaves of the tobacco plant (Nicotiana sp.). These hatch into larvae (right, second from bottom) that feed on the plant. Although the nicotine in the leaves is toxic to many organisms, the hornworm larvae are able to sequester and secrete it. The damage to the plant by feeding larvae can be seen on the lower leaves. The larvae bury themselves in the ground to form a pupa (right, second from top). After about 18 days the adult moth (right, top) emerges.