this is eating my tomatoes

Pepper 5/25/2012, 1:31 pm

I have spotted the damage to the leaves on my tomatoes. Today the culprits got eyeballed, and lensed. this is eating my tomatoes 671790

Although I don't have a clue what it is, I think I have the cure. Since it is a catepillar type critter the BT spray(Thoricide ) should stop the feasting. this is eating my tomatoes 773650

Next question should I remove all the affected leaves or just leave them in place? this is eating my tomatoes 471599

Squat_Johnson 5/25/2012, 1:52 pm

I wouldn't remove the leaves. Look underneath, and see if you find any eggs hiding.

I concur with using BT. Good stuff for caterpillars.

**llama momma** 5/25/2012, 1:54 pm

I would let the leaves live out their usefulness unless they touch the ground, then get rid of those. That's to combat disease transmission from the soil. And I agree with SJ too. I would smoosh the life out of the caterpillar and yes Bt is an optional route too.

Windsor.Parker 7/3/2012, 7:20 am

llama momma wrote:... I would smoosh the life out of the caterpillar...

My garden gets scrutinized regularly for pests. Yesterday I picked and "halved" or "smooshed" 3 of these guys from one "Robeson" variety plant.
this is eating my tomatoes Tomato14

They're voracious and hard to find, too!

**camprn** 7/3/2012, 7:53 am

When I get those horn worms in my garden, they get removed and flung far into the woods. If one happens to have wasp eggs on it, it goes to the other side of the yard, as I want the wasps to be around to attack the next horn worm. Twisted Evil

landarch 7/3/2012, 9:56 am

its either a tomato or tobacco hormworm - both eat tomato plants.

**camprn** 7/3/2012, 10:37 am

This is what it looks like with the wasp eggs. let this one go and you will have more preditory wasps.
http://organicgardensite.com/bugs-harmful/tomato-horn-worms/

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_YX6ukhfK44s/TEIQWMyUAsI/AAAAAAAAB6k/9l2vW3kSO9g/s1600/tomato+hornworm+with+braconid.jpg
this is eating my tomatoes Tomato+hornworm+with+braconid

this is eating my tomatoes Tomato+hornworm+with+braconid

Triciasgarden 7/3/2012, 10:44 am

Oh those hornworms are so gross. I remember as a teenager having to remove one from a tomato plant. I screamed every time he moved but I knew he had to go! That blue one sure looks cute even though he is a non-beneficial.

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