Insects love tomatos too
Jun 20, 2012 12:31:26 #
I knew it was on my tomato plant somewhere because Id seen its frass (insect droppings), about a half inch long, on the lower leaves. (Like a lot of insects, caterpillars can be recognized by the size of their frass.) A couple of smaller tomatoes had been eaten, all the way down through the stems. But the coloration was so closely matched to the plant that I couldnt find it.
This morning it had eaten into another tomato, a ripe one this time, and - as Bugs Bunny is want to say - Of course you know, this means WAR.
I started the search at the top of the plant, slowly perusing every stem from the main trunk to the tip, and finally, about 1/3 of the way down, I found it. A three inch long tomato hornworm larva.
If you have tomato plants - BEWARE. The tomato hornworm is coming to a plant near you.
This morning it had eaten into another tomato, a ripe one this time, and - as Bugs Bunny is want to say - Of course you know, this means WAR.
I started the search at the top of the plant, slowly perusing every stem from the main trunk to the tip, and finally, about 1/3 of the way down, I found it. A three inch long tomato hornworm larva.
If you have tomato plants - BEWARE. The tomato hornworm is coming to a plant near you.
their coloration offers excellent camouflage
Sphinx moth larvae have a 'horn' at the tip of the abdomen
The end that does all the damage
butterfly and moth larvae have crochets (or crochet hooks) on the abdominal prolegs to help them hold onto certain surfaces
Jun 20, 2012 14:48:28 #
Jun 21, 2012 07:27:51 #
This is going to sound weird but Tomato hornworms are some of my favorite caterpillars. My girls used to raise them when they were in 4-H. I love how velvety they feel. I don't like what they do to my tomatoes.
Now your shots are excellent I particularly like the third one.
He is almost cute.
Now your shots are excellent I particularly like the third one.
He is almost cute.
Jun 21, 2012 07:44:42 #
Jun 21, 2012 10:14:30 #
Jun 21, 2012 11:02:04 #
Jun 21, 2012 12:51:01 #
Found this Manduca sexta (Tobacco Hornworm) on my tomato plant. Took a few photos then decided to wait a few days to see what happened, not realizing that he was already doomed. It seems he was infested with Barconid Wasp eggs and they had emerged from the caterpillar, spun their cocoons and awaiting to emerge as adults. The catepillar is now emaciated and died the next day. These little wasps can play havoc with Hornworms and save a lot of tomato plants if they are caught early enough.
Sep. 1, 2010
Sep. 4, 2010
Jun 21, 2012 13:30:09 #
nice shots jim,i have picked about 20 off my tomatos so far.i think i may have seen the last of them for this year.tom
Jun 21, 2012 21:32:19 #
Larva of tobacco hornworm (Manduca sexta)
vs
Larva of tomato hornworm (Manduca quinquemaculata)
Either can be found on tomato plants.
vs
Larva of tomato hornworm (Manduca quinquemaculata)
Either can be found on tomato plants.
Larva of tobacco hornworm
Larva of tomato hornworm
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