Where Do the Green Worms on Tomato Plants Come From?

If you have ever grown tomatoes, you may have encountered the problem of green worms appearing on your plants. These creatures, commonly known as tomato hornworms, can quickly damage your crop and leave you wondering where they came from.

Life Cycle of Tomato Hornworms

Tomato hornworms are the larvae of a type of moth known as the five-spotted hawkmoth. The moths lay their eggs on the underside of tomato plant leaves, usually in groups of five to ten. The eggs hatch into small green caterpillars that feed on the leaves of the plant.

As the caterpillars grow, they develop the characteristic horn on their back, which gives them their name. They can grow up to four inches long and can strip a tomato plant of its leaves in just a few days. Once they have finished eating, they will pupate in the soil, emerging as adult moths in a few weeks.

Preventing Tomato Hornworms

There are several ways to prevent tomato hornworms from damaging your tomato plants. One effective method is to inspect your plants regularly and remove any caterpillars you find by hand. You can also introduce beneficial insects, such as lacewings and ladybugs, which will feed on the hornworms.

Another way to prevent hornworms is to plant companion plants, such as onions and garlic, near your tomatoes. These plants will repel the moths from laying their eggs on your tomato plants. Additionally, you can cover your plants with row covers as soon as you transplant them, which will prevent the moths from laying their eggs on the leaves.

Dealing with Tomato Hornworms

If you do find tomato hornworms on your tomato plants, there are several ways to deal with them. One method is to simply pick them off by hand and dispose of them in a bucket of soapy water. You can also spray your plants with a mixture of water and dish soap, which will suffocate the caterpillars.

Another effective method is to use Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt), a naturally occurring bacteria that targets the caterpillars of the five-spotted hawkmoth. This bacteria is available in a liquid or powder form and can be applied directly to the affected plants.

Conclusion

Tomato hornworms can be a frustrating problem for tomato growers, but they are not impossible to deal with. By preventing them in the first place and using effective methods to manage them, you can keep your tomato plants healthy and fruitful.