black eggs or frass on the leaves

tnkrer · June 21, 2015

I am spotting many of these on basil leaves, mint leaves and cucumbers. Did not spot any on Kale or Chard which are right next to the basil/mint
Many of those leaves are eaten. The black stuff also shows up on nice uneaten leaves. The leaves being eaten and black dots on the leaves started happening around the same time, which leads me to believe that the leaf eaters are leaving those black things behind. Are those eggs or frass? Who is the culprit? How would I find it and treat it?

Thanks

kurt · June 21, 2015

Possible early sign of a hornworm(brown and/or green),when small they will go to back to medium during the day or hide underneath leaf when larger.Flood the medium and sometimes they will emerge.They can devastate a whole plant top growing cluster overnite.They will hide and camouflage during the day.The green ones mimic color and leaf structure.Ground saturation of pesticide should stop life cycle.

**mdvpc** · June 21, 2015

Look above the frass very carefully-you will find most likely a hornworm. They are difficult to spot, since they blend in to the foliage. There will probably be more than one.

Kikaida · June 22, 2015

I find coming out at night with a small, strong flashlight really helps to focus your search.

tnkrer · June 23, 2015

Looked for the hornworm with a flashlight at night. Did not see any worm. Also have not noticed frass on the leaves in last couple of days. So I suppose its now cocooned up behind some leaf or in the grow media.

June 21, 2015	#1
tnkrer Tomatovillian™ Join Date: May 2013 Location: MA 6a/b Posts: 352	black eggs or frass on the leaves I am spotting many of these on basil leaves, mint leaves and cucumbers. Did not spot any on Kale or Chard which are right next to the basil/mint Many of those leaves are eaten. The black stuff also shows up on nice uneaten leaves. The leaves being eaten and black dots on the leaves started happening around the same time, which leads me to believe that the leaf eaters are leaving those black things behind. Are those eggs or frass? Who is the culprit? How would I find it and treat it? Thanks

June 21, 2015	#2
kurt Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Homestead,Everglades City Fl. Posts: 2,503	Possible early sign of a hornworm(brown and/or green),when small they will go to back to medium during the day or hide underneath leaf when larger.Flood the medium and sometimes they will emerge.They can devastate a whole plant top growing cluster overnite.They will hide and camouflage during the day.The green ones mimic color and leaf structure.Ground saturation of pesticide should stop life cycle. __________________ KURT

June 21, 2015	#3
mdvpc Tomatoville® Moderator Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: San Antonio, Texas Posts: 4,386	Look above the frass very carefully-you will find most likely a hornworm. They are difficult to spot, since they blend in to the foliage. There will probably be more than one. __________________ Michael

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June 22, 2015	#4
Kikaida Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: Valencia, CA Posts: 258	I find coming out at night with a small, strong flashlight really helps to focus your search.

June 23, 2015	#5
tnkrer Tomatovillian™ Join Date: May 2013 Location: MA 6a/b Posts: 352	Looked for the hornworm with a flashlight at night. Did not see any worm. Also have not noticed frass on the leaves in last couple of days. So I suppose its now cocooned up behind some leaf or in the grow media.