HELP! caterpillars munching through my tomatoes

mrs Bucket · « **on:** July 28, 2007, 07:52 »

I have finally found the pesky devils that are eating my tomatoes. long dark green caterpillars munching both red and green tomatoes. what is the best way of eradicating them? :cry:

Sally A · « **Reply #1 on:** July 28, 2007, 09:39 »

These blighters are really hard to spot, wait until the sun is shining through the leaves and look up from under the plant, you may see their shadows. Also look at the leaves below, those with caterpillar poo on sometimes give their game away. Try removing some of the unecessary leaves as this restricts their hiding places.

Having been caught out before, I check the underside of leaves for eggs throughout the growing season, and found 2 batches this year, approx 20 eggs per batch. I did post a pic on here somewhere under Eggs on Tomato plants I think if you want to do a search.

In the past have removed them by hand.

mrs Bucket · « **Reply #2 on:** July 29, 2007, 07:28 »

Thanks sally A, i spent all of yesterday removing leaves, half eaten toms etc. still only found half a dozen of the vile creatures. hosed down the plants hoping some would drop off as suggested on another site but i think they must be wearing mountaineering crampons. will go and have another try today.

many thanks

Sally A · « **Reply #3 on:** September 11, 2007, 15:36 »

Well, removed 3 sets of eggs, evicted 3 caterpillars at the weekend, but noticed fresh poo today on lower leaves so went hunting. Does anyone know what type of butterfly/moth this will be eventually?

muntjac · « **Reply #4 on:** September 11, 2007, 15:50 »

think they may be tomato worm ..... yehh they arre a catterpilar but they are worms .... lolo tomato horned worm . u can use paprika dusted on the leaves to stop em .not sure about chemicals licensed in the uk .. incidently have you got the seeds from any where abroad .alos known as the tobacco worm as both are deadly nightshade family plants last saw them in wallingford oxfordshire 30 yr ago

Sally A · « **Reply #5 on:** September 11, 2007, 15:53 »

No they were from next door's Uk seed packets. I do get a lot of moths in the greenhouse, but tend to do a regular check for eggs. I was quite surprised as I thought the caterpilar hatching time had passed, and thought I'd got away with it, but hey-ho, will keep on checking for fresh poo, and evicting them as and when found.

PS just googled images for tobacco worm - 'fraid it's different markings.

muntjac · « **Reply #6 on:** September 11, 2007, 16:03 »

any chance of a clearer pic . has it got a head mantle?

Sally A · « **Reply #7 on:** September 11, 2007, 16:23 »

[

About the best I can get with my camera.

muntjac · « **Reply #8 on:** September 11, 2007, 16:27 »

briliant ... its a small white by the look of it

Sally A · « **Reply #9 on:** September 11, 2007, 16:30 »

so butterfly or moth, deffo not a cabbage white as no black in the markings. Don't particularly want to kill it - have just moved it on.

PS: just noticed that's quite a good photo - Attenbouroughs! - move over!

muntjac · « **Reply #10 on:** September 11, 2007, 16:37 »

its a flutterby

GrannieAnnie · « **Reply #11 on:** September 11, 2007, 20:43 »

Does look like the caterpillar of the small cabbage white to me too, they don't have black markings do they?

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HELP! caterpillars munching through my tomatoes

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