CLOSED: Lots of Small Black Bugs, Yellowing my Tomatillo

daviderin7 Whittier, CA Aug 04, 2009

My tomatillo plant has been yellowing (as in losing its green pigment) severely. I noticed lots of small (maybe about 1/16" long) black bugs and attribute this to them. They seem to leave the fruits alone. There are no chew holes in the leaves, nor around the edges.

The leaves are yellowing from the inside of the plant out. First the larger leaves started yellowing, leaving the new growth green. This has now also started to yellow. As I mentioned, I attribute this to the bugs, but maybe I have a combination of things going on here. Either way, I'm interested in what these little guys are. Thanks!!

Post #6904269

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themoonhowl Prairieville, LA(Zone 9a) Aug 04, 2009

I do not know the name of these little pests, but they are the cause of your problem. They appear to be literally sucking the life from your plant. Soon as you get an ID, you will know how to get rid of them,

Post #6904981

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suunto Sinks Grove, WV Aug 04, 2009

These are nymphs of a stink bug (Hemiptera/Heteroptera: Pentatomidae), but I cannot put a specific name on them. This family includes both plant pest and predatory species; if they can stick their proboscis straight out in front of their head, they likely are predaceous (see http://tinyurl.com/lk6my7 for an example). If they keep their proboscis tucked underneath their head, they likely are plant feeders.

Post #6905821

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