CLOSED: Need ID...

I found this munching on the leaves of my tomato plants.

Thanks,
Donna

tomato hornworm - common name

Manduca sexta, it will become the pretty Carolina Sphinx Moth.

http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://pics.davesgarden.com/pics/Happenstance_1154706075_99.jpg&imgrefurl=http://davesgarden.com/bf/showimage/708/&h=469&w=700&sz=55&hl=en&start=20&tbnid=IIH2gYXp-uuqAM:&tbnh=94&tbnw=140&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dtobacco%2Bhornworm%2Bmoth%26gbv%3D2%26svnum%3D10%26hl%3Den%26rls%3DDNUS,DNUS:2006-36,DNUS:en

fly_girl.... no it won't!! If it's munching on my plants... it won't be anything but dead!


Thanks,
Donna

Awww Donna, can't you spare a few tomatoes? LOL He's about ready to pupate and then he will eat no more.

one will strip a tomato plant overnight. keep a good eye on your plants. they are hard to spot and there usually aren't more than a couple per plant for some reason.

I only have 2 tomato plants... and I think they may be the culpret in the eating of my pepper plants and my hibiscus that are all in the same area. So NO, I can't spare a thing. I won't put pest control where they are at, in my backyard, because of my dog. Not even Sevin. If anyone knows of a repellant or something that will not harm my dog... let me know. I take no chances with my dog. The potentially poisnous stuff only goes out front... where he doesn't go without me. I don't even put it in my green house in the backyard. I use to, and I had nightmares and constant worry. So I don't any more.

Thanks all...

Donna

Donna, You are so funny! I bought a tomato plant hoping to get the caterpillars & moths...wouldn't you know it, all I have are stupid tomatoes! ROTFL!

Suzy

Well, I didn't buy the tomato plants, I didn't actually want any. But a friend brought some over for me. I don't eat tomatos, but my DH does. So I got 2 cages and they are really thriving and getting tall. I have little matos on the plants. I'm just really, really picky. So now, I guess I will grow at least 2 tomato plants every year now. No biggy.

Was wondering... about the tomato plants. Most times I can winter over my pepper plants, they don't seem to mind ... and when it gets cold (freezing) I put them in the green house. Was wondering if I could do the same with the mato plants.

Donna

no, when they're done, they're done. you can start new ones in your greenhouse though. that way you could have a head start the following year.

Can you save the seeds from these things?

I grow everything else from seed.


Donna

Yes, but there is a trick to tomato seeds-- they need to be fermented. I think that means they stay in the tomato until it rots, or at least is beyong eating. Hopefuly someone else can explain how you do it. I di it by letting the tomoatoes rot on the ground or in my compost pile, but I am pretty sure there is a better way. LOL!

Suzy

Donna - I use Bt on my vege garden to protect it from catepillars. It's a bacteria that keeps chewing insects from eating. It has no effect on pets or people. You can get it online from Gardens Alive under the name Green Step Catepillar Control. It really works. I had hundreds of saw fly catepillars on my tomatoes earlier in the year and Bt stopped em in their tracks. Sarah

Thanks Sarah!

And by the way, for the moth lovers, I haven't killed the little bugger yet. I have him "contained" and I am feeding him. I hope he turns into a moth soon.

Donna

WTG Donna! You are now officially a 'moth lover'!

Suzy, I, too, bought some tomatoe plants just for the hornworms LOL....I love those big guys!

No, not a moth lover as such... I just do have respect for living creatures no matter how much I dislike what they do. He's still alive. So I must be doing something right at keeping him that way (like feeding him bad leaves off my tomato plants). Haven't figured out if he needs or how to give him water. There is condensation in his container, I would think that would be enough. And I make sure he gets air.

Take care,
Donna