[andy dewar]

Hi iv suddenly got loads of caterpillers on my tomato plants in the greenhouse and theyre eating into the toms iv never known this before , some are light green  and the others slightly bigger grey fawn colour iv taken off most of the leaves to get the *  is there anything i could have done to prevent this ? i must have had 60 plus thanks for any advise Andy

[8doubles]

Tom moth !, the browny ones show up easily but the green ones can be hard to find.

A gentle shake of the plant will generally dislodge them for squishing !

[m1ckz]

ewwwwwwwwwwwwww  i realy cant scwish them 

[andy dewar]

Thanks 8 is there anything i can do to prevent them next year

[8doubles]

I try to avoid spraying toms so have not looked for a chemical solution. I expect one of the multi purpose pesticides will fit the bill.
I will check my stocks later to see .
The tom moths have not showed here this year.

[Nobbie]

I've had them the last few years, but this year I knew what to expect and when I saw the first sign of leaf damage I removed the affected leaves and gave the plants a good shake followed by a good bit of squishing That seems to have sorted it out, although I do check for any further leaf damage. If you leave them to mature they drop into the soil in a purpley brown chrysalis ready to infect next years.

[Wiltshire Worms]

My tomatoes are just beginning to ripen off now. But a few of the fruits have been attacked by tiny little grubs,  almost like little caterpillars. They drill very small and neat little holes..I have never had this happen before. What do you think they are
.Thanks

[mumofstig]

It may be Tomato moth, a new pest for the UK 

[devonbarmygardener]

It may be Tomato moth, a new pest for the UK 

Where's that darned thing come from then?

[andy dewar]

Thanks Nobbie much appreciated

[Aunt Sally]

I've merged two similar topics.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manduca_quinquemaculata

[Wiltshire Worms]

Thanks for your comments(I thought id lost my post )

had a shake and a squish...got a few

[devonbarmygardener]

I've merged two similar topics.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manduca_quinquemaculata

I've seen that green cattypiddler on my mate John's plot last year 

[Lulu]

Just found this - I have them too!! have put photos in my diary - naughty things.

[TheWhiteRabbit]

Aaaah, I wondered what was eating my tom leaves! I've also had a bit of slug damage so I'd given them the credit for the leave demolishing! I found a number of fat green/brown cattlepiddlers yesterday and put them outside for the birdies.