The black 'horn' at the back is for protection. I first noticed evidence of these ugly bugs a day or so ago when the odd tomato had little nibbles on it. At first I was accusing the chipmunk as he has been know to swipe the odd tomato or two, but usually leaves his evidence on the deck or railing. These tomatoes were still on the plant. On closer examination I noticed some of the stems had also been nibbled and that is what clued me in. So I started to scrutinize the plants and discovered these two ugly bugs.
I immediately snipped off the branch they were on and let it fall into a container whereby I took them to the very back of the garden and dumped them in the back field. I didn't want to take the risk they would find their way back to the tomatoes. So then I wondered how did they get on my plants in the first place. A little research on Google and I found out the moth overwinters in the soil, lays eggs in the spring and hence the life cycle begins.
Edit to correct info: I discovered from a new garden friend at Oh My Bloom, that the tomato hornworm is the larvae stage of the five spotted hawk moth, which is a mottled gray brown colour with yellow spots on its sides. I just love making contact with other gardeners and learning new things.
I'm sharing my ugly bugs with Camera Critters so why don't you blog hop over and see who else is participating.
Remember, the more you look the more you see, but I hope you don't find any of these ugly bugs.
Your right, they are just darn right creepy! I should have a closer look in my plants. By the way, your plants and tomatoes are looking good! Diane
ReplyDeleteThanks for this informative post. I've never seen these uglies that I know of and I must check my son's tomato plants to see if they are there. I find it amazing how such ugly creatures change into beautiful ones. Pamela
ReplyDeleteThese are so gross, but I'll take them over the potato bugs! Ewww. Why must gardening be a constant battle or the bugs?!?
ReplyDeleteMy biggest problem is the squash bugs! But I'm always worried we'll get these - they look so big and ugly I'd hate to touch them, and they sure can eat a lot!
ReplyDeleteHere's what I have learned about tomato bugs. Since the eggs overwinter in the soil. Next year plant your tomatoes in a different location. Voila! No more tomato bug problem -- rotating crops is the answer. Also plant herbs nearby. Most insect do not like the scent of lavender, rosemary and basil. Helps keep the deer away, too.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the tips Jane Marie. This is the first year I've had these bugs, and the tomato plants are in a different location than they were last year. An interesting thing I discovered is that they are on my red tomatoes and in the middle pot are yellow tomatoes. I'm wondering if the eggs were in the soil that the tomato plants came in from the garden center? I have marigolds as companion plants but will try some of what you recommend for next year. Thanks for stopping by.
ReplyDeleteEW! I had a clear-winged hummingbird moth eating nectar from a Buddleis a couple of days ago! I didn't think I had a hornworm problem...but maybe I need to check and see!
ReplyDeleteAhhh I am not into any kind of worms and that makes my hair stand lol. Like the tomato though.
ReplyDeleteCardinal is my critter for this week, please come and see and have a have a good weekend.
that is one monster of a caterpillar. oddly, though I usually hate looking at bugs, this guy doesn't bother me - but I looked up the moth and he is weird and ugly!
ReplyDeleteWOW, it is a BIG caterpillar. I have seen the hummingbird moths around my butterfly bushes. I have been lucky with my cherry tomatoes this, the only veggie I planted this year.
ReplyDeleteI don't think they are ugly. They have beautiful markings. Great phots BTW.
ReplyDeleteAren't these the buggers that hide under the leaves and blend? One of the jobs I had as a kid was looking for these and getting rid of them. Working farms can't afford this kind of UGH.
ReplyDeleteHi Linda
ReplyDeleteThe large size of their frass (droppings) on leaves below is also an indication the hornworms are present. When angry or threatened, they make a peculiar clicking sound too.
Really makes you want to eat your tomatoes now, doesn't it? :-)
Judith
Fascinating post Linda. We don't have anything like that over here.Out of interest I googled hornworm. As with nearly everything in the garden there is a predator called the Braconid wasp which lays its eggs in the caterpillar. Amazing stuff!
ReplyDeleteYes Cheryl, they hide under the leaves and are very hard to find.
ReplyDeleteLots of big dropping around Judith. I really noticed it when I put them into a container to remove from the plant.
I saw some photos of the hornworm covered in eggs from its predator. Sure hope I don't see any like that.
Karen, the markings are very interesting.
ReplyDeleteYucky bug..... been in my garden too and they also like my nicotiania..
ReplyDeleteOh, I know these guys! We had a lot of them in our garden in the Midwest, but not here in Washington state. They are cute... aren't they? But bad, bad, bad...
ReplyDeleteI had tomato hornworms only one time in my garden. They are big and ugly. I know you are supposed to rotate plants, but I never did. The spot where my tomatoes grew was the only place in the garden where they could go. I picked the hornworms off and destroyed them. They never returned.
ReplyDelete