My old nemesis the Tomato Hornworm is back! They certainly are an impressive creature!
When the Five Spotted Hawk (Manduca quinquemaculata) moth finds a tomato plant, it will lay one or several eggs on the tomato plant. When the eggs hatch, the little caterpillar will eat its egg case and starts to eat like crazy! The caterpillar will molt several times until it becomes mature and ready to burrow in the ground and metamorphize into a chrysalis. By late spring the chrysalis will open and a new moth appears in late spring/early summer. Finally the cycle starts all over again.
It is incredible how fast an almost mature caterpillar can strip a tomato plant. I recommend removing the worms by hand. Usually the creatures are found alone hiding amongst the damage. Beware, there color is a great camouflage! Check out the size of this critter!!
BTW, here is another indicator of their escapades. Giant worm poop!!!
You have to admit, they are amazing!!!!!!
Papa
Great photos! I blogged about these beasts too: http://www.sustainablemarketfarming.com/2017/07/14/hunting-hornworms-on-tomato-plants/#comment-23508, and your photos really help with identifying the cause of the problems! Thanks> Pam Dawling
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I am glad you have enjoyed this post. More to come.
Papa
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Great photos! I just posted about these beasts at http://www.sustainablemarketfarming.com/2017/07/14/hunting-hornworms-on-tomato-plants/#comment-23508 and your photos really help identify the cause of the problems! Thanks. Pam
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Great photos! I recently wrote about these beasts on my blog http://www.sustainablemarketfarming.com/2017/07/14/hunting-hornworms-on-tomato-plants/#comment-23508 and your photos really help identify the cause of the problems! Thanks, Pam
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