A Large Green Caterpillar With a Horn on My Tomato Plants
The tomato hornworm, sometimes referred to as the tobacco hornworm, is a large, fleshy, green caterpillar with a visible spike or horn on its body. This pest is a common problem for gardeners growing tomatoes. Keeping them off tomato plants is key to keeping them healthy and productive. Does this Spark an idea?
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Tomato Hornworm
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The tomato hornworm is the larva of the sphinx hawk moth, also called the hummingbird and hawk moth, according to the University of Minnesota Extension. The caterpillar feeds on tomato plants and other garden plants as it prepares to undergo metamorphosis into the adult form. Although not commonly damaging to commercial crops, the tomato hornworm has the potential to seriously damage to an individual gardener's tomato plants in the spring and summer.
Effects
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The tomato hornworm has a voracious appetite. It feeds on the leaves of a tomato plant, consuming larger and larger amounts as it matures, according to the University of Minnesota Extension. The caterpillar blends in with the plant's coloring, making it difficult to detect. Tomato hornworms feed on the upper portions of leaves, draining them of sap and nutrients, leaving them susceptible to disease damage.
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Cultural and Chemical Control
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Handpicking and destroying tomato hornworms is an effective measure for home gardeners operating on a smaller basis. This limits the amount of chemicals needed in the garden and reduces the potential damage to the crop. Tilling the ground after harvest helps destroy any remaining hornworm eggs. Certain pesticides are effective for tomato plants grown on a commercial scale when physical removal is not a practical option.
Biological Control
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Parasitic wasps that attack and kill tomato hornworms are available through some garden centers or university extensions. These wasps feed on caterpillars. Other natural pests include lacewings and ladybugs, which feed on the eggs and younger larvae of the tomato hornworm. Applying biological controls to the garden increases biodiversity and keeps the garden healthy and productive.
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References
- Photo Credit Seiya Kawamoto/Lifesize/Getty Images
