Do Tomato Worms Eat Other Plants?

Tomato worms, also known as tomato hornworms, are a common pest that can wreak havoc on tomato plants. These large, green caterpillars can consume up to 80% of a tomato plant's leaves, stems, and fruit. But do they eat other plants as well?

The Tomato Hornworm Diet

Tomato worms are primarily herbivores and typically only feed on plants in the Solanaceae family. This includes not only tomato plants, but also eggplants, peppers, and potatoes. These plants contain specific chemicals, known as glycoalkaloids, that attract tomato worms and make them more palatable.

Occasionally, tomato worms have been known to eat other plants outside of the Solanaceae family, but this is rare. In some cases, they may eat plants that are in close proximity to their preferred host plants, simply because they are in the way or to search for suitable pupation sites.

Minimizing Tomato Worm Damage

If you have a garden that includes tomato plants or other Solanaceae family members, it's essential to take steps to minimize tomato worm damage. Some of the best ways to do this include:

Handpicking tomato worms off of plants

Applying organic pesticides, such as Bacillus thuringiensis (BT)

Encouraging natural predators, such as birds, to feed on tomato worms

Rotation of crops to limit nematode and pest build-up

Planting herbs that repel tomato worms, such as basil or borage

By taking these steps, you can help protect your Solanaceae plants from the damage caused by tomato worms and ensure a healthy, abundant harvest.

Conclusion

While tomato worms are primarily found on plants in the Solanaceae family, they are not limited to just those plants. Although they have been known to eat other nearby plants on occasion, this is relatively rare. To minimize the likelihood of tomato worm damage, it's essential to implement a few preventative measures such as crop rotation and natural predators, among others. By doing so, you can help ensure a thriving garden with the healthiest plants possible.