Squash Bugs

Jeepdog · January 10, 2011

I have what looks like squash bugs on my tomato plants. I have about 30 tomato plants growing right now and I live in SW Florida. I have seen these bugs periodically throughout the garden and I handpick as I see them. I have noticed though, that on one particular plant and, on one particular tomato cluster, they seem to be having a meeting. There are about 15 on this one tomato. I have sprayed with BT until the plant is dripping and they disperse and come right back. I have tried to handpick, but they are to fast for me to get them all. I get what I can. Go away, come back 10 min later and they are back... Must be some classroom instruction going on there. Any ideas? Even though I handpick some, when they disappear and come back, it seems the same numbers arrive. It is almost like they have a set number that must be present and if I destroy some by handpicking, they call in the reserves to fill in the vacancies. Really weird. I am almost positive they are squash bugs! Please help! As I said, I see the bug periodically throughout the garden and handpick and destroy as I find them, but this one tomato plant/cluster meeting place is really weird. Wondering if they are planning an attack of the entire garden...

January 10, 2011	#1
Jeepdog Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Punta Gorda Posts: 10	Squash Bugs I have what looks like squash bugs on my tomato plants. I have about 30 tomato plants growing right now and I live in SW Florida. I have seen these bugs periodically throughout the garden and I handpick as I see them. I have noticed though, that on one particular plant and, on one particular tomato cluster, they seem to be having a meeting. There are about 15 on this one tomato. I have sprayed with BT until the plant is dripping and they disperse and come right back. I have tried to handpick, but they are to fast for me to get them all. I get what I can. Go away, come back 10 min later and they are back... Must be some classroom instruction going on there. Any ideas? Even though I handpick some, when they disappear and come back, it seems the same numbers arrive. It is almost like they have a set number that must be present and if I destroy some by handpicking, they call in the reserves to fill in the vacancies. Really weird. I am almost positive they are squash bugs! Please help! As I said, I see the bug periodically throughout the garden and handpick and destroy as I find them, but this one tomato plant/cluster meeting place is really weird. Wondering if they are planning an attack of the entire garden...