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    mrstedplank's Avatar
    mrstedplank Posts: 10, Reputation: 1
    New Member
    		  
    #1

    Jul 18, 2009, 04:32 PM
    Caterpillars on tomatoes
    Howdy!

    I just found big green caterpillars on my tomato plants.
    Horn worms? I think that's what they're called.
    My plant is pretty bushy and I've only seen 4, but I can't imagine that being the end of them.
    They're super tricky to spot since they're obviously camouflaged into the plant and there's so much foliage.

    Does anyone know a good way to be rid of them other than picking them off?
    I'm not squeamish, I just can't see them all!

    Help!
    Thanks so much!
    Sue
    YoungHyperLink's Avatar
    YoungHyperLink Posts: 152, Reputation: 13
    Junior Member
    		  
    #2

    Jul 18, 2009, 04:44 PM

    Hi! Just a few plants or several long rows?
    Try spraying them with weak solution of garlic water.
    YoungHyperLink's Avatar
    YoungHyperLink Posts: 152, Reputation: 13
    Junior Member
    		  
    #3

    Jul 18, 2009, 04:53 PM
    Here's a recipe:

    Crush one head garlic. Pour 1 cup boiling water over it; steep one hour. Strain garlic out, add 2 pints cold water. Spray on plants (try to avoid blossoms and fruit). Refrigerate any leftover spray.

    You can also add a few drops of liquid detergent, or use onions or cayenne peppers instead of or along with the garlic.
    KUXJ's Avatar
    KUXJ Posts: 975, Reputation: 97
    Senior Member
    		  
    #4

    Jul 18, 2009, 05:03 PM
    And a Howdy! Back, mrstedplank

    This one has a table near the bottom listing possible corrective measures:
    Tomato Hornworms in Home Gardens

    Here's a list for Tomato Hornworm Control:
    http://vegipm.tamu.edu/results_keyword.cfm

    FieldGuide, same site:
    Tomato hornworm

    There's also another pest of toms:
    beet armyworm, Spodoptera exigua (Hbner)

    YHL's recipe sounds intriguing also.

    K
    KUXJ's Avatar
    KUXJ Posts: 975, Reputation: 97
    Senior Member
    		  
    #5

    Jul 20, 2009, 06:47 AM
    Quote Originally Posted by KUXJ View Post
    Heres a list for Tomato Hornworm Control:
    http://vegipm.tamu.edu/results_keyword.cfm
    k
    I went to double check the Quoted link and it was bad.

    Let's try this one:
    Tobacco Hornworm and Tomato Hornworm
    Then at the bottom click on "Search the vegipm control database"

    And Thank You Feller's for the rate.
    Just Dahlia's Avatar
    Just Dahlia Posts: 2,155, Reputation: 445
    Ultra Member
    		  
    #6

    Jul 21, 2009, 04:57 PM
    I just found the first one on mine:eek:, I check everyday and it had already ate part of my tomato, but it wasn't a hornworm. Big but more like a caterpillar.
    Sometimes, OK all the times, I can not see them,I'm a little blind and they are green! If you spray the plant wdith water they wiggle and you can find them to pick off, if you want to go that way.
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