What are the large green worms that eat tomato plants?

If you are a tomato plant grower, you may have encountered some large green worms that eat your precious tomato plants. These worms can cause considerable damage and can even kill your tomato plants. In this article, we will identify what these worms are and how you can control them.

Identifying the large green worms

The large green worms that eat tomato plants are known as tomato hornworms. These worms are the larval form of the hawk or sphinx moth, which is a large, grayish-brown, and quick-flying moth. Tomato hornworms are green in color, have seven diagonal white stripes on their sides, and grow up to four inches long. They have a horn-like protrusion on their last segment, which gives them their name.

Understanding the life cycle of tomato hornworms

Tomato hornworms have a relatively long life cycle, taking about a month to fully develop. The adult hawk moth lays her eggs on the underside of tomato plant leaves. After a week, the eggs hatch, and the larvae emerge. The larvae then start feeding on the leaves, stems, and fruits of the tomato plants. They can grow up to four inches long and consume large amounts of foliage, causing significant damage to your tomato plants. After about two weeks of feeding, the larvae go through a pupal stage in the soil, emerge as moths, and start the process again.

Controlling tomato hornworms

To protect your tomato plants from these worms, there are several control measures you can take:

Handpick the worms - Check your tomato plants regularly for any hornworms and handpick them off. You can either squish them, drop them in soapy water, or relocate them away from your tomato plants.

Natural predators - Encourage natural predators such as birds, wasps, and parasitic flies that feed on the hornworms. Planting companion plants such as dill, parsley, and coriander can attract these natural predators.

Controls - If the infestation is severe, you can use organic controls such as Bacillus thuringiensis var. kurstaki, which is a bacterial insecticide that specifically targets hornworms, or spinosad, a natural insecticide derived from soil bacteria that controls many kinds of pests, including hornworms.

Preventive measures - To prevent future infestations, rotate your crops, remove plant debris, and till your soil at the end of the growing season to reduce the number of overwintering pupae in the soil. You can also use floating row covers to prevent the adult moths from laying eggs on your tomato plants.

Conclusion

Tomato hornworms can be a significant pest to tomato plants, causing extensive damage if not controlled. By identifying these worms and implementing the appropriate control measures, you can protect your tomato plants and ensure a bountiful harvest.