What is laying eggs in my tomatoes? - Ask Extension
All tomatoes in my garden, including the ones that are potted and away from the main vegetable garden area look like their leaves are being consumed b...
Knowledgebase
What is laying eggs in my tomatoes? #877266
Asked July 15, 2024, 10:48 AM EDT
All tomatoes in my garden, including the ones that are potted and away from the main vegetable garden area look like their leaves are being consumed by some insect that’s laying eggs in the leaves and partially eating them. I have been pinching off the effected leaves and throwing them away to prevent proliferation of the insect, but I am afraid I will pinch off all the leaves off my tomatoes soon, especially the small ones. What is this insect? Is it harmful to the tomatoes and other vegetables, or should I just let them be? Is there any way to get rid of them? (I practice organic gardening).
I was not able to find information about this specific issue online.
Franklin County Ohio
Expert Response
This is a disease called early blight. pinching off the leaves is good, keeping leaves dry when watering and not allowing splash up of soil when watering will help to avoid this and many other diseases. Please check this site for further information on tomato diseases - https://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/vegetable/problem-solvers/tomato-problem-solver/leaves/
Hi, I am aware of early blight, but I am asking a question about the insect that's damaging my tomatoes at the same time. It's hard to see in the photos I sent, but when the tomato leaf is unfolded, there is a small web and some tiny black caterpillar droppings. In rare cases I see some tiny dark caterpillars. Attaching a new photo here. It shows the worm.
That looks to be a small (immature) armyworm caterpillar. You can dust/spray your plants with Bt. Be sure to get the product over and under the leaves. Please see this site https://vric.ucdavis.edu/pdf/pests_BtCaterpillarControl.pdf?ref=ambrook
