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mschaetz

New eggs on tomato plant

mschaetz
13 years ago

about a day ago these appeared on my tomato plant. I think they could be a hornworm. I have isolated them and would like to attempt to raise them all the way through and release the moths. {{gwi:459661}}

Comments (11)

  • MissSherry
    13 years ago

    I've never seen hornworm eggs laid in a group like that. Are these eggs pyramid shaped? I found several pyramid shaped eggs on a redbay recently, and, in the past, I was told that they were an undesirable bug. Hornworm eggs always look to me like they're barely attached. Here's a picture I made of a tobacco hornworm egg on a tomato leaf several years ago -
    {{gwi:459662}}
    Sherry

  • mschaetz
    Original Author
    13 years ago

    They are completely egg shaped. Here are some more photos I just now took. You can see something developing, but I have no idea what. I hope it isn't a stink bug. I so badly want it to be a hornworm.

    {{gwi:459663}}

    {{gwi:459664}}
    {{gwi:459665}}

  • mschaetz
    Original Author
    13 years ago

    here is a photo taken farther away to give a better idea of their size. {{gwi:459666}}

  • rhizo_1 (North AL) zone 7
    13 years ago

    Hmmmm, they don't look familiar to me. Definitely NOT a tobacco or tomato hornworm. Be sure to let us know what they turn out to be....take some more good pictures!

  • mschaetz
    Original Author
    13 years ago

    After hours googling.... I have come to the conclusion these are sadly leaf footed bug eggs.....

  • bandjzmom
    13 years ago

    Awwwwwwwwww......toooo bad. Your pictures are awesome BTW. Maybe you will still get your Hornworm eggs!

  • mschaetz
    Original Author
    13 years ago

    Thanks! I love to take pictures, but sure do wish they were hornworms! I am just starting to plant the right stuff to attract butterflies. Hopefully by next year I'll have something to really take pics of. :D

  • rhizo_1 (North AL) zone 7
    13 years ago

    If you have tomato plants, you'll probably end up with some hornworms! Be patient, grasshopper. ;-)

  • catherinet
    13 years ago

    That's true rhizo! Almost everyone with tomatoes seems to get them. Lots of people would love to give you theirs mschaetz! I like them though.....and what they turn into. I don't mind sharing some of my tomato leaves for them. :)
    And I agree........great pics!

  • susanlynne48
    13 years ago

    I usually transfer the caterpillars to my Datura which they will eat as well. These guys can make short shrift of a tomato plant. Have any of you watched a late instar cat consume a leaf? In record time, I tell you! You can even hear them munching away.

    I love em and want to keep em because they are such good pollinators.

    Susan

  • mschaetz
    Original Author
    13 years ago

    I keep looking at my tomato plant every morning and evening.... anxiously waiting.... :D I am still adding host plants for them to lay eggs on (not just for hornworms). Thanks so much for your encouragement.

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