Information and discussion regarding garden diseases, insects and other unwelcome critters.
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June 25, 2015 | #1 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: May 2015
Location: SW Missouri Zone 6b
Posts: 121
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Some weird leaves... Pest damage or signs of something worse?
I have been finding a few leaves on my tomato plants with some weird spots lately, but it doesn't look like many of the more advanced disease pictures I have seen here or on the internet. I wondered if anyone would be willing to chime in and give their opinion on whether this is some pest damage, or if I should start some preventative fungal/disease treatments? I have only found these spots on a very few number of otherwise healthy-looking leaves, with no major yellowing or dying leaves so far.
Just to give some background: Up until a few days ago, we had constant rain, to the point of some serious local flooding. It's been in the low 90's and sunny/steamy since then, and I have been careful to maintain adequate pruning (and sanitation with an isopropyl alcohol dilution on my clippers between plants) to maintain good airflow and to help protect the plants from any potential fungus/pathogens. The way the tomato garden is currently situated, I've been trying to be careful about tying some of the branches to the support system and not letting the foliage branches touch each other to help keep them as dry as possible with the high humidity we've had lately. Since my gardens are in very large containers on my patio, I go pest hunt almost every night under bright lights and with a very bright flashlight. I have few enough plants that due to space restrictions I keep them pruned to 2 vines per plant. That means I try to examine every branch each night and haven't found anything too out of the ordinary so far, except these leaves that exhibit some damage that may not be just chewing insects. Also included of some pics of the unknown pests I don't recognize. I usually find some tiny green aphids and a few white flies, as well as some unknowns that I can't always get pictures of. Mostly I find small spiders, which I leave unharmed, and the occasional ladybug or lacewing. The last 2 pics are of a larger bug I found for the first time tonight skulking around on my cukes. If any of these pics look particularly troubling, or like signs of a potentially serious pest/fungal/viral problem, I would very much appreciate anyone's opinions! As always, thanks to all who respond! Last edited by squirrel789; June 25, 2015 at 07:05 AM. Reason: typos |
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