Hornworm attacked by an insect virus, which reproduces in the nucleus of cells of tissues within the larva. Before all the internal organs are destroyed and the body fills with millions of virus particles, the insect crawls to a high point on the plant and hangs down in an inverted "V", typical of this type of infection. When the skin ruptures, virus is transferred via wind, rain, insects, etc around the local environment where it waits to be ingested by another insect susceptible to this virus. The lucky hornworm in the foreground avoided infection.

Hornworm attacked by an insect virus, which reproduces in the nucleus of cells of tissues within the larva. Before all the internal organs are destroyed and the body fills with millions of virus particles, the insect crawls to a high point on the plant and hangs down in an inverted "V", typical of this type of infection. When the skin ruptures, virus is transferred via wind, rain, insects, etc around the local environment where it waits to be ingested by another insect susceptible to this virus. The lucky hornworm in the foreground avoided infection.