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eating tops of tomatoes

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Posted by gardeninpa01 PA (My Page) on
Tue, Jul 24, 12 at 17:11

any idea what this HUGE bug is? i noticed yesterday the tops of one tomato plant were eaten off (fenced in garden). today i found these 2 guys!

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RE: eating tops of tomatoes

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That, my friend is a Tomato Horn Worm.
Cute as it may be (in my opinion) you must pick it off and squish it. It's a caterpillar that will absolutely decimate your plants with its aggressive appetite.

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RE: eating tops of tomatoes

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  • Posted by luke_oh zone 5 NE Ohio (My Page) on
    Tue, Jul 24, 12 at 17:59

I think that it's the caterpillar of those cute little white butterflies that's always in the garden. Maybe someone can varify this? luke

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RE: eating tops of tomatoes

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Nope, those are cabbage loopers. The moth that the hornworm turns into is this one:

Here is a link that might be useful: Picture of Sphinx moth

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RE: eating tops of tomatoes

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  • Posted by luke_oh zone 5 NE Ohio (My Page) on
    Tue, Jul 24, 12 at 18:06

I was wrong.....It's the larve of the large 5 spotted hawk moth. I feel better now. luke

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RE: eating tops of tomatoes

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I picked 2 off one of my BW last weekend, saw another that wasp had laid eggs on so left it - the guy's still there today, and 2 little greenies got chewed. Big poopies - I don't know if there's another one on that plant, they're good at hiding. Don't see any signs on other plants (yet). Guess I gotta get a black light bulb for flashlight and go out at night.

Luke - those little white butterflies lay eggs that turn into little green inchworms that destroy cole crops - so check your cabbage, etc. if you have any planted.

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