Knowledgebase
Bug on tomato #872776
Asked June 12, 2024, 10:54 AM EDT
Fort Bend County Texas
Expert Response
Leaffooted bugs are common pests of tomatoes and potatoes, rarely causing damage on cucurbits. Bugs are large (to about 3/4 inch), browinsh to gray, with backs flattened and shield shaped. Hind legs are prominently flattened. Feeding damage causes speckling and spotting of tomato fruit
https://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/vegetable/problem-solvers/cucurbit-problem-solver/cucurbit-insects/leaffooted-bug
Best Ways to Control
There are three ways you can manage these insects:
- hand-picking (be sure to wear gloves if utilizing this method),
- sucking off the plant with a hand-held vacuum,
- spraying plants with pesticides. If choosing to use a pesticide, read the product label and make sure it can be used in the area you are treating (i.e. vegetable garden). Once they are adults spraying is not very effective.
- https://travis-tx.tamu.edu/2021/08/23/leaffooted-bugs-common-in-summer-vegetable-gardens/
When you take the tomato out put it in the garbage.
Jim, Larry and Leslie