Contents:
- What are Tomato Hornworms?
- How To Identify Tomato Hornworms?
- Differences Between Tomato and Tobacco Hornworms
- Tomato Hornworms Lifecycle
- 3 Ways on How To Kill Tomato Hornworms
- Conclusion
Summertime is a great time to be a farmer, but it can also be a trying time. One of the biggest pests of tomatoes and other plants in the Solanaceae family is the tomato hornworm. Tomato hornworms, while striking in their size and coloration, can cause a lot of damage to your tomato plants if they are not dealt with quickly.
In this blog post, we will cover how to identify the signs of a hornworm infestation and how to get rid of them using organic methods. Keep reading for tips on how to protect your plants!
What are Tomato Hornworms?
Tomato hornworms are the stuff of nightmares – or at least, they’re the stuff of gardeners’ nightmares. Tomato hornworms are large, green caterpillars that feed on the leaves and fruit of tomato plants.
These voracious pests can strip a tomato plant of its leaves in no time flat, decimating a crop in just a few days. But what exactly are these garden-destroying creatures?
Tomato hornworms are the larvae of hawkmoths, a type of night-flying moth. The adult moths are harmless, but their offspring are another story entirely. Tomato hornworms can grow up to four inches long, and they’re perfectly equipped to wreak havoc on a tomato crop.
They have sharp mandibles that they use to cut through plant leaves, and they can consume enormous quantities of foliage in a single day. If you’ve ever found your tomato plants looking suspiciously bare, chances are you have tomato hornworms to thank (or blame).
How To Identify Tomato Hornworms?
Believe it or not, those big, green caterpillars munching on your tomatoes are actually quite shy. They would much rather stay hidden in the leaves than be discovered by a curious gardener.
However, their size (up to 5 inches long!) and voracious appetite make them hard to miss. Tomato hornworms cause the most damage during the caterpillar stage when they strip plants of their leaves and fruit.
They are pale green with white and black markings, as well as a horn-like protrusion from their back. (Don’t worry, they can’t sting or bite!) The caterpillar’s green body also has eight V-shaped stripes.
Tomato hornworms are the larvae of a mottled brown-gray moth. While they may seem like pests, tomato hornworms are actually an important part of the ecosystem. They provide food for birds and other predators, and their droppings are a source of nutrients for plants.
Differences Between Tomato and Tobacco Hornworms
Tomato and tobacco hornworms may look similar, but these two pests are actually quite different.
For starters, tobacco hornworms are usually green, while tomato hornworms are typically brown or black. Tobacco hornworms have a small horn protruding from their rear end, while tomato hornworms do not. Tobacco hornworms have chevron-shaped markings on their wings and seven white straps on their sides, while tomato hornworms have plain wings and typically have eight.
In terms of size, tobacco hornworms can grow up to four inches long, while tomato hornworms max out at about three inches.
But perhaps the most significant difference between these two creatures is their diet. Tobacco hornworms prefer to feast on tobacco leaves, while tomato hornworms prefer…you guessed it, tomatoes!
Given their appetite for different plants, it’s no surprise that these two pests can cause serious damage to crops. If you suspect that either of these hungry critters has taken up residence in your garden, be sure to take action quickly to prevent them from doing any further damage.
Tomato Hornworms Lifecycle
The tomato hornworm is a voracious eater that can quickly decimate a tomato crop. In the larval stage of the moth, these green worms are well-camouflaged against the foliage of their preferred host plant.
They can grow up to four inches in length and often have a dark “horn” on their posterior. Tomato hornworms spend the winter in the pupal stage, emerging as moths in the spring. The moths then lay eggs on the undersides of leaves, and the cycle begins anew.
While they are difficult to control, there are some things that gardeners can do to minimize damage from these pests. Hand-picking them off plants is one of the most effective methods, but this requires regular monitoring of crops.
Many gardeners also use Bacillus thuringiensis, a bacteria that specifically targets caterpillars, as a preventative measure. By understanding the life cycle of the tomato hornworm, gardeners can be better prepared to protect their crops.
3 Ways on How To Kill Tomato Hornworms
Handpicking
If you have the time and patience, or a small garden, handpicking is an excellent control tactic. Every morning, simply walk through your garden and look for hornworms. If you find one, carefully remove it from the plant and dispose of it.
This method may seem time-consuming, but it is by far the most effective way to get rid of these pests. Plus, it’s much more satisfying than using harmful pesticides.
Homemade Spray
Simply combine 2 cups water, 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper, and 1 teaspoon liquid dish soap in a spray bottle. For an extra measure of protection, you can also add a few cloves of garlic to the mixture.
Then just liberally spray your plants, making sure to cover both sides of the leaves and stems completely. The cayenne pepper will deter the caterpillars, and the dish soap will help to break down their protective coats, causing them to dehydrate and die.
Natural Predators
By introducing a predator insect, you can help control your tomato worm problem while also benefiting your garden. There are numerous insects that can assist.
Wasps feed on tomato worms, and their larvae attach to them. The wasp larvae will feed on the tomato worm until it dies once attached. So how do you benefit? Remove tomato worms with wasp larvae attached (they will look like tiny grains of rice on the back of the caterpillars) but do not kill them. This way, the wasps can still do their jobs while also helping to populate your garden.
However, if you would prefer to have fewer wasps around, ladybugs and lacewings are also beneficial insects. These beneficial insects are known for their appetite for tomato worms, which can quickly decimate a crop if left unchecked. Best of all, unlike wasps, they don’t lay their eggs on the worms, so you don’t have to worry about an infestation down the line.
Another option is to attract birds to your garden. Birds are naturally adept at spotting worms and other small pests and can help keep your plants healthy without resorting to chemicals. All you need to do is set up a bird feeder or bird bath near your garden, and you should see results in no time.
Conclusion
While you may be tempted to reach for chemical warfare, there are three natural ways that you can rid your plants of these pesky critters. Give one or more of these methods a try and enjoy your bountiful tomato harvest without any fear of hornworms!
Have you ever had to deal with tomato hornworms in your garden? If so, what method did you use to get rid of them?
