Tomato Worm
Some Interesting Facts About The Tomato Worm
Tomato worm is basically a nickname for the very common tomato hornworm, a grotesquely large caterpillar that preys on tomato and other plants in the garden. Tomato worms are the larva of another large insect, the five-spotted hawk moth, which grows to the size of a hummingbird. They come out in the summer time and are the nemesis of many a home gardener.
The tomato worm comes around in late June or July through August, once the five-spotted hawk moth lays its eggs. When they hatch, tomato worms are just tiny, pale green dots, hardly even noticeable on the underside of tomato plant leaves. In only 3 to 4 weeks, however, these chubby green gobblers can grow to lengths of up to 5 inches! And they grow by munching on all of the tomatoes plants thriving around them.
Full grown tomato worms are pale green in color, with very thick bodies and a black horn shaped tail. They attach themselves to the stems and leaves of tomato plants and blend right in, so they can be very difficult to spot. The tell tale sign that a tomato worm is present will be holes in the leaves of tomato plants. Drooping or broken stems and sometimes even half eaten green tomatoes can also signal the presence of this worm.
Tomato worms are despised by many gardeners and for good reason. They can destroy a crop of tomato plants in a matter of just 2 or 3 days! Their appetite is hefty, and they can eat for hours and hours, devouring the leaves and stems of all healthy tomato plants close by. In a pinch, they will also much on eggplant, peppers and potatoes.
There are a few different ways to rid a garden of these pesky critters, the most basic of which is to pluck them off the plants by hand. Tomato worms are not dangerous to touch and they do not bite, so they can be removed from a plant without incident.
Another effective treatment is a pesticide known as Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis). This pesticide spray is a friend to the environment and safe for plants, pets and people. Best of all it eradicates worm infestations with just a few treatments. Simply spray it on the tops and bottoms of plant leaves once a week until the worms are gone.
Insecticidal soap also works against tomato worms by treating the undersides of leaves. The same process can be done using alcohol and a cotton swab to clean the leaves and destroy any worms that are present.
The prettiest option is to plant marigolds among the other garden plants. Marigolds are excellent at fending off tomato worms as well as many other pests and plant parasites, and they add a touch of color to the garden too!