weird green things in my garden?

I found little green clumps under my tomatoes. they aren't poop, but they are probably the consistency of poop, the size of a large bead, they look like a little section of corn, or like a tiny grenade cause it has weird even sectioned bumps. I didn't put any weird fertilizer in my garden, I don't think my roommate would. I don't know whats going on! I pulled them all out and smashed them, I tried to take a picture but they were creepy and my camera phone wouldn't really focus on it. They are semi cylindrical. When i help them in my hand some of them got green stuff on me. Is it a bug or an egg or something like that?

If they were black grenades, I'd say it was tomato hornwood poop....might still be...if it is, you've got Harry Hornworm camped out somewhere under the tip end of a leaf. You noticed any leaves looking like twigs and eaten down to the branch?

Hornworm is the first thing that came to my mind too. I agree with Gymgirl, you need to check to see if you have any branches that have had all the leaves eaten off.

I found little green lumps like you describe on one of my broccoli leaves yesterday, and about 2 inches away, I found a light brown caterpillar.

WHOA!! My first hornworm! I will have to look for him! I might let him hang out since I will be pulling up those plants anyway, they are way overgrown! How do they poop in such perfect little shapes like that? its so weird.

Uh, just a word. The SIZE of the poop you encounter, generally defines the SIZE of the Harry you'll find. So, be forewarned -- I've pulled 'em off as big as my thumb. But, Harry is soooooooooooooo cute in a very weird sorta way.

The only way I've found to deal with them, is to keep the image of the cartoon Hornworm from the Madagascar movie in my head. Took me a minute to associate that voraciously hungry little worm with Harry! Now, I love him (when he's not chomping on my tomato vines!)

Linda

I noticed more poop today and lots of leaves missing so he's probably a big guy. Or maybe a few big guys. If I don't kill him will he turn into a moth and terrorize my tomatoes with more hornworm eggs?

i'm sure the poop is good for my garden at least.

Pretty,
I've heard the moth is one of the most beautiful. If you've got another plant they like to eat, you could relocate Harry. Or, sacrifice one of your failing tomato vines. Several members actually grow a separate section to relocate their Harrys to, just so they can hibernate and show the moth.

Another word. Harry starts at the topmost leaves and at the tips of the leaves. He'll cling upside down to the branch that can hold his weight. So, when you're looking for him, start at the very tips of the highest branches, and follow it back toward the main stem. Chances are (depending on his size), he'll be clinging to the underside of one of these.

Another word. "head's up..." literally. You could brush against Harry with your hair if he's clinging to a leaf. Or end up staring at him nose to leaf before you know it. Just keep in mind where to look first.

And don't forget, they're the champions of playing possum! He'll be still as a nail until he's sure you've moved on, so you've got to have keen eyes, and "stick-to-it-tive-ness" to find him!

Use your cameraphone to capture pics of this exciting goose chase!

Linda

This message was edited Oct 19, 2010 2:29 PM

The kois loves them!!!

There's that word again! The Frenchman in me keeps seeing "Kwah" before I remember you have fish. Koi fish! ^^_^^

i know that plural of koi is koi!!! You noticed!!!