Eeeek!!! There is a very neat bug eating half of my tomatoes.

[DeborahJane]

And it isn't even waiting for them to ripen. I have cut this bit off and the rest is fine but I don't want to share. I started to put this post in the Vegie section but remembered just in time that tomatoes are actually a fruit.

 

[MaryMary]

Yuck, no, I wouldn't want to share, either!!


Have you seen the bug?

 

[Chuck]

View attachment 16717 And it isn't even waiting for them to ripen. I have cut this bit off and the rest is fine but I don't want to share. I started to put this post in the Vegie section but remembered just in time that tomatoes are actually a fruit.

That is not insect damage. That is what is called Blossom End Rot. Here in Texas the cure for this disease is Epsom Salts. About 1/2 cup scattered around the base of the plant and watered in. What the cause of this is the plants inability to uptake calcium. Where I live BER is a very serious problem and ES is the cure. In other parts of the US with different soil conditions ES may or may not be a cure

 

[DeborahJane]

Thanks Chuck. I have Epsom Salts in my garden shed and will apply when the sun comes up. Makes sense too. How would it munch so neatly.

 

[CrazyConure]

I was going to say blossom end rot too! Those tomatoes look really small! What variety are they?

 

[Chuck]

I was going to say blossom end rot too! Those tomatoes look really small! What variety are they?

Those are a Roma variety and Roma's are the most prone to BER of all the tomatoes.

 

[Elena]

Regular watering is important in this disease. And so, some sorts get sick often and others don't.

 

[Pulse]

I noticed chuck already answered it. But ill go ahead and add my 2 cents. It also looks like it had been touching the ground thus creating the blossom rot. Especially if they are resting on wet soil.

Usually I feel around on the bottom where the blossom is and they fall off. But I do it looking for holes from bugs. I do it every morning and evening.

 

[Stink Bug]

Yep blossom end rot.
I just cut away the diseased section and eat the rest.