Tomato horn worms grrrr!!!!

[wsmoak]

The last one I found was thrashing around because a large fly was bothering it.

I sometimes find damage and *no* worm -- even running my gloved hand along all the branches. I have a lot of birds in the garden (the Eastern bluebird house is right nearby and they have raised three clutches so far this year!) and I think the worms get picked off when they are at the top of the plant.

-Wendy

 

[desertlady]

Yesterday morning I finally found two tiny tomato worms ! they were very hard to see !! I fed them to my chickies, My eyes are sore from staring at every tomato branches trying to find another one !!

 

[desertlady]

looking for larva is so impossible when my plants is over 5 tall ! I only find two tiny tomato worms , I am sure theres more, but they havent done anymore damage to the plant yet. I am guessing birds are eating them. But I am still looking for more just in case !

 

[Carol Dee]

The last one I found was thrashing around because a large fly was bothering it.

I sometimes find damage and *no* worm -- even running my gloved hand along all the branches. I have a lot of birds in the garden (the Eastern bluebird house is right nearby and they have raised three clutches so far this year!) and I think the worms get picked off when they are at the top of the plant.

-Wendy

Yeah for the bluebirds. We have our 3rd clutch of bluebirds at the garden. Plus swallows. I have seen some new hornworm damage to one plant. We looked it over carefully. Could not find the culprit. Hopefully the birds got him.

 

[Smart Red]

As you seek out tomato horn worms be aware. Should you find some with white 'eggs' on their back, carefully pick the worm off your plant, but do not kill it. I put them on the ground a ways from the 'mater plants. Those eggs are from a type of horn worm predator that will live off the caterpillar and grow into more helpful garden friends.

Poop is a good indicator for the larger worms, but small ones are more challenging. I heard that going out at night with a 'black light' will make horn worms easier to find. Another gardener said that a normal flashlight works just as well. The horn worms reflect a bit differently than leaves and so are easier to spot with less effort.

Lucky for me, my chicken do enjoy eating them once I have them off the plant.


Love, Linn B (aka Smart Red) Gardening in zone 4b-5a, newly 5b? -- anyway, Im still in the same spot in south-est, central-est Wisconsin

 

[desertlady]

I never heard about black lights on tomato worms ! I will give it a try and see what I find. (I usually find scorpions) Yes, I do find poop on my plants But wheres the heck he go!!?? They havent done any more damage yet, as I found two tiny ones. I am only guessing the birds got them. I Hope !!!