Information and discussion regarding garden diseases, insects and other unwelcome critters.
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#1 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: May 2011
Location: San Antonio, TX Zone 8B
Posts: 118
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First, let me admit to being somewhat of a noob, so if this is a dumb question, let me appologise in advance.
![]() Just a few days ago, I discovered tiny holes on the lower leaves of my tomato plants which I'm growing in EarthTainers on my 2nd floor apartment balcony. Upon closer inspection, I saw very tiny, green caterpillars were the cause of the holes. The caterpillars are about 1/8 " long. I removed (smooshed) as many as I could by hand, then I sprayed the leaves with Garden Safe brand Insecticidal Soap which did kill the caterpillars. Over the next few days, this same scenario repeated itself, but the holes in the leaves were slowly getting higher on the plants. ![]() Does anybody here know what I'm dealing with? What action should I take? Please help. ![]() -Lyle |
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#2 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Den of Drunken Fools
Posts: 38,539
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http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j...IzC1hQ&cad=rja
Cabbage Looper That cute little inch worm. Well in your case 1/16 inch worm, Is a baby, "have a cigar". ![]() Yep that is what it is they just dont eat cabbage. Those moths around your lights at night turn into these and cut worms. I might add there are several insecticides available some organic some not. Now that you know what they are you will know what to look for to kill them |
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#3 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Alabama
Posts: 7,068
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Try a dust with BT in it like Dipel and if that doesn't take care of them in a couple of days then hit them with Sevin and it will get rid of them.
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#4 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: San Diego
Posts: 1,255
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Yes, spray with BT (bacillus thuringiensis). Make sure to spray under the leaves. It may take a few days to kill them but they will quit eating almost immediately.
Steve |
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#5 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: zone 5b northwest connecticut
Posts: 2,570
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spray with BT (i use liquid concentrate and mix with water. application is easier than dust) no need to spray under leaves. as long as they eat any part of any leaf with BT on it they will stop feeding immediately and die in a couple of days.
i thought it looked like a cabbage loper but i never knew they attacked tomato plants, only cruciferous plants. tom
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#6 | |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Den of Drunken Fools
Posts: 38,539
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No doubt they would be after tomato leaves if I didn't have the beans to snack on. ![]() BT tomorrow, too much wind today. ![]() Worth |
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#7 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: zone 5b northwest connecticut
Posts: 2,570
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apparently cabbage loopers will eat anything! i thought they were called cabbage loopers cuz they eat cabbage and other plants in that family (cruciferous). i see them on broccoli but those are the only 2 cruciferous vegetables i now grow.
try the liquid concentrate. dust is hard to use especially if it is windy but you can spray it even if windy just stand upside with the wind. tom
__________________
I need a hero I’m holding out for a hero ‘til the end of the night He’s gotta be strong And he’s gotta be fast And he’s gotta be fresh from the fight I need a hero I’m holding out for a hero ‘til the morning light He’s gotta be sure And it’s gotta be soon And he’s gotta be larger than life |
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#8 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Den of Drunken Fools
Posts: 38,539
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Tom
I have the Ortho dial and spray. What a great device it is too. Much better than dusting or a pump sprayer. Just fill the container and set the dial for what the mix is supposed to be. After use just dump the stuff back in the original container if you have any left. I sprayed the whole garden down with BT and the loopers have stopped eating. ![]() They were eating everything but the tomatillos. ![]() Worth |
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#9 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Dallas/FortWorth, TX
Posts: 116
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And what they don't eat they poop on.
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Tags |
caterpillars , holes , leaves , pests , worms |
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