White and green patches on Black Cherry

Nukem3 · September 8, 2015

Hi there! I'm new to gardening this year and found this on a handful of my black cherry tomatoes. They have these green and white patches on them. Would this be the result of a disease or bugs? Is there a way to prevent it? Thanks in advance.

ginger2778 · September 8, 2015

I think it's bugs. I think it's stinkbugs or leaf footed bugs.

gbutterfly · September 8, 2015

Hi Nukem3! I see you are in Manitoba - that's where I am too. I have similar damage to exactly the same tomato (black cherry) I believe this damage is caused by stink bugs. This year has been especially bad for them, I have never seen so many of them in my life.

SharonRossy · September 9, 2015

Yep, I am in Montreal and those markings are that of the stink bug for sure. I have used trounce 2, horticultural oil with insecticidal soap. One thing that helps if you catch it early is to examine the undersides of the leaves. They lay their eggs in a symmetirical pattern. That's how I first found them otherwise I'd be overrun. You need to spray on and underneath the leaves. The old fashioned but equally effective way is to try hand picking them off or at least knocking them into a bucket with the solution. They can move quickly. Also keep your area as free from weeds or other growth where they can hide and lay their egges.
Good luck! Sharon

TexasTycoon · September 9, 2015

Yep, those definitely look like stink bug bites. The fruit is still edible, but if it grosses you out just cut off the bitten part. I got rid of mine by gently shaking my plant every day and killing any that shook off (either smoosh them or drop them in some soapy water).

Worth1 · September 9, 2015

They are edible but creepy.
With larger tomatoes forget about peeling them, it isn't going to happen.

Worth

Nukem3 · September 10, 2015

Thanks everyone for your replies. These tomatoes aren't very appetizing to me, but since it isn't a disease, would it be fine to save seeds from these ones?

Nice to see a fellow Manitoban in the group!

September 9, 2015	#5
TexasTycoon Tomatovillian™ Join Date: May 2015 Location: Round Rock, TX, Zone 8b Posts: 1,157	Yep, those definitely look like stink bug bites. The fruit is still edible, but if it grosses you out just cut off the bitten part. I got rid of mine by gently shaking my plant every day and killing any that shook off (either smoosh them or drop them in some soapy water). __________________ -Kelly "To plant a garden is to believe in tomorrow." - Audrey Hepburn Bloom where you are planted.

September 8, 2015	#2
ginger2778 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Plantation, Florida zone 10 Posts: 9,283	I think it's bugs. I think it's stinkbugs or leaf footed bugs.

September 8, 2015	#3
gbutterfly Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: Zone 3, Manitoba, Canada Posts: 14	Hi Nukem3! I see you are in Manitoba - that's where I am too. I have similar damage to exactly the same tomato (black cherry) I believe this damage is caused by stink bugs. This year has been especially bad for them, I have never seen so many of them in my life.

September 9, 2015	#4
SharonRossy Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Montreal Posts: 1,140	Yep, I am in Montreal and those markings are that of the stink bug for sure. I have used trounce 2, horticultural oil with insecticidal soap. One thing that helps if you catch it early is to examine the undersides of the leaves. They lay their eggs in a symmetirical pattern. That's how I first found them otherwise I'd be overrun. You need to spray on and underneath the leaves. The old fashioned but equally effective way is to try hand picking them off or at least knocking them into a bucket with the solution. They can move quickly. Also keep your area as free from weeds or other growth where they can hide and lay their egges. Good luck! Sharon

September 9, 2015	#6
Worth1 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Den of Drunken Fools Posts: 38,539	They are edible but creepy. With larger tomatoes forget about peeling them, it isn't going to happen. Worth

September 10, 2015	#7
Nukem3 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Manitoba Zone 3 Posts: 7	Thanks everyone for your replies. These tomatoes aren't very appetizing to me, but since it isn't a disease, would it be fine to save seeds from these ones? Nice to see a fellow Manitoban in the group!