Bizarre caterpillar on my tomato plant

Joined
Aug 20, 2015
Messages
11
Reaction score
0
Country
United States
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.
DSC07670.JPG
 
Joined
Aug 20, 2015
Messages
11
Reaction score
0
Country
United States
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
 
Joined
May 15, 2016
Messages
847
Reaction score
360
Location
Miami, FL
Hardiness Zone
10b
Country
United States
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.
 

Ask a Question

Want to reply to this thread or ask your own question?

You'll need to choose a username for the site, which only take a couple of moments. After that, you can post your question and our members will help you out.

Ask a Question

Members online

Forum statistics

Threads
27,874
Messages
264,655
Members
14,609
Latest member
Hooman

Latest Threads

Top