Return to the Tomato Pests & Diseases Forum
| Post a Follow-Up
Rollie Pollie, Are they harmfull to tomatoes?
| | |
Posted by friesfan1 5b KS (My Page) on Thu, Sep 8, 05 at 14:08
I was harvesting tomatoes last evening, and came across
pill bugs aka, rollie pollie bugs aka, sowbugs at the
stem of all three ripe tomatoes I picked. 4-5 per
tomato.
What I would like to know is; has anyone else
had this problem?
And do rollie pollie bugs damage tomatoes?
Thanks,
Friesfan1
z 5b KS |
Follow-Up Postings:
RE: Rollie Pollie, Are they harmfull to tomatoes?
| | |
| I've had problems with them (pillbugs/sowbugs) in the past, mainly during rainy periods in the spring or fall. Generally, they are opportunistic and will only burrow into a fruit if it splits. But don't always count on it. |
RE: Rollie Pollie, Are they harmfull to tomatoes?
| | |
| I'm a first time tomato grower........Everything was prefect, tomatoes growing beautiful and recently within the last 3 weeks I believe ROLLIE POLLIE bugs have done a number on my tomatoes. I know its not a tomatoe horn worm. I have seen lots of rollie pollies. Like most 1st time gardeners I've believed rollie pollies would not hurt your plants. I'm starting to believe different unless someone has another explaination. |
RE: Rollie Pollie, Are they harmfull to tomatoes?
| | |
Hi,
What kind of damage is being done? To the fruit? Or the leaves?
This year I am having small holes chewed into the fruit.
The culprit I believe is a small yellow & black bug. THey
chew the fruit, and then it starts to rot. I have sprayed
them with a concoction of dish soap & water. The same
solution I use for Squash bugs. I try to pick the fruit and use it as soon as possible.
I also rotate crops in the garden yearly hoping to avoid
any bug eggs that may over winter and chew up my garden
the next season. AS, I do not see what is chewing holes in my tomatoes, it
also may well be grasshoppers, who are extremely bad this
year. Mary
z 5b KS |
RE: Rollie Pollie, Are they harmfull to tomatoes?
| | |
| Sow bugs are quite opportunistic, true, and are one of nature's garbage collectors. Usually they come along AFTER the initial damage is done by something else - stink bugs tomato fruitworms, grasshoppers, hornworms, blister beetles, etc. They seem to thrive in the "damp" so if rain isn't the cause, try letting the area dry out a bit and they will depart for better feeding. Enjoy your tomatoes. ;) Dave |
|
|
|
|
