Something is eating, but what?

Dewayne mater · June 17, 2009

Something must be eating my tomatoes as I have some leaves with holes and the very tell tale trail of, well, poop of some kind. Any ideas what might be doing this? I did find my first T horn worm this morning and took care of that. Could that be the culprit?

I know I have some sort of white citrus leaf hopper too and one of the attached shows that.

I have a bunch of tomatos working and the Texas heat is here. So, any suggestions as to how to control whatever problems you can identify would be very much appreciated.

feldon30 · June 17, 2009

Could be tomato fruit/leafworms. If they found the leaves, they might eat the fruit next and they will eat it when it's green.

I would hit everything with Bacillus Thurigensis (BT). Called BT Worm Killer, Dipel Dust, etc. I prefer the liquid concentrate but others like the dust. Completely organic. It's a naturally-occuring bacteria that gives the little worms a terminal case of indigestion.

Dewayne mater · June 17, 2009

Feldon, you are a tomato savant! I'm nearly certain that is it as I forgot to mention that a super ball sized tomato had a worm in it yesterday. My brain didn't link the two, but given your response, I'm thinking that is very likely the culprit. I will head to Home Depot or Ace and find some BT to apply this evening just before dark. Thanks so much!!!!!

June 17, 2009	#2
feldon30 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: May 2006 Location: Rock Hill, SC Posts: 5,346	Could be tomato fruit/leafworms. If they found the leaves, they might eat the fruit next and they will eat it when it's green. I would hit everything with Bacillus Thurigensis (BT). Called BT Worm Killer, Dipel Dust, etc. I prefer the liquid concentrate but others like the dust. Completely organic. It's a naturally-occuring bacteria that gives the little worms a terminal case of indigestion. __________________ [SIZE="3"]I've relaunched my gardening website -- [B]TheUnconventionalTomato.com[/B][/SIZE] * [I][SIZE="1"]*I'm not allowed to post weblinks so you'll have to copy-paste it manually.[/SIZE][/I]

June 17, 2009	#3
Dewayne mater Tomatovillian™ Join Date: May 2008 Location: DFW, Texas Posts: 1,212	Feldon, you are a tomato savant! I'm nearly certain that is it as I forgot to mention that a super ball sized tomato had a worm in it yesterday. My brain didn't link the two, but given your response, I'm thinking that is very likely the culprit. I will head to Home Depot or Ace and find some BT to apply this evening just before dark. Thanks so much!!!!!