The criminal has been apprehended. 🛑 For weeks, the tomatoes were disappearing—leaves stripped to the bone, fruit ravaged in the night. We finally tracked down the perpetrator of these heinous foliage crimes.
He looks cute in the sketch, but don't let those mandibles fool you. If you’re currently dealing with a hornworm problem in your own backyard, I’ve put together a full "Interrogation & Prevention Guide" to help you protect your harvest before it’s too late.
Are you interested in learning about pests of tomatoes to keep your garden safe? Here are a few tomato pests to look out for.
TOMATO FRUIT WORM
The tomato fruit worm may be small, but this little guy is no pushover. As its name indicates, this caterpillar preys on the fruit of the plant and is one of the most (if not) destructive pests of tomatoes.
Tomato fruit worms sport a variety of colors. This includes brown, red, and green with pale yellow lines stretching lengthways. Tiny, inconspicuous spines stick out on the insect’s exterior, which is discernable when touched, as it gives off a rough feel.
LEAF MINERS
The earliest and most notable pests of tomato plants might be leaf miners. You might not see the culprit itself, but the damage inflicted.
APHIDS
The peach and potato aphids are common sapsuckers of the tomato plant. They don’t feed on the fruit.
Aphids may be green, pink, red, or yellow in appearance. They differ in size but are distinguishable from other pests because of their soft pear-like form.
Would you like to learn more about pests of tomatoes? Please click this link.
