Bizarre caterpillar on my tomato plant

[Richard Larned]

Just discovered two of these on my tomato plant. Large caterpillar (about 1-1/2" long) with numerous white "things" over its entire body. The caterpillar was alive but the white things weren't moving. What the heck is this? I've been growing tomatoes for 30 years and have never seen anything like this.

 

[LIcenter]

It's a horn worn. What you are seeing on top of it are eggs from a parasitic wasp. The eggs will hatch and eat the worm or caterpillar from the inside out.

 

[GardenStateGardner]

I would kill it with fire.

 

[Richard Larned]

It's a horn worn. What you are seeing on top of it are eggs from a parasitic wasp. The eggs will hatch and eat the worm or caterpillar from the inside out.

Wow.....that's so gross. should I be spraying with Sevin, or something similar?

Tks

 

[MaryMary]

I would kill it with fire.

^ ^ This, +1.

 

[zigs]

Wow.....that's so gross. should I be spraying with Sevin, or something similar?

Tks

No need, it's already got a death sentance

 

[CrazyConure]

I would leave it. The parasitic wasps will take care of all your tomato hornworm issues. You are quite lucky you have them in your alrea. I have to spray with bt and hand pick those buggars off.