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Caterpillars on tomato plants

GrannybeeGrannybee Posts: 332
in Problem solving

I have discovered some tiny green caterpillars on tomato plants in the greenhouse. I noticed them because a few leaves had lacy holes. I have picked them all off and taken them away. After a bit of research I have discovered they are quite common and to pick them off is the best thing to do. And I will keep a closer look at leaves in future!

Has anyone else had this problem this year?

Posts

  • Pete.8Pete.8 Posts: 11,340
    Not seen them yet this year, but had them last summer.
    I only noticed some relatively large droppings on some leaves then noticed a few holes and nibbles here and there, and found 3 or 4 fat juicy caterpillars in leaf curls which went to the lawn.
    I did find a few more over the summer, but only a few

    Billericay - Essex

    Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
    Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
  • BobTheGardenerBobTheGardener Posts: 11,384
    edited July 2018
    Yes, the Tomato moth aka Bright–line Brown-eye moth (Lacanobia oleracea) attacks mine nearly every year - there must be a nearby natural food source.  I always miss some of them because they are excellent at playing hide-and-seek, resting along supports, stems etc.  Once they grow to full size, they will start eating the fruit as well as leaves!

    A trowel in the hand is worth a thousand lost under a bush.
  • josusa47josusa47 Posts: 3,530
    Bright line brown eye moth - what a delightful name.  Sounds like a duet by Van Morrison and Art Garfunkel.
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    edited July 2018
    josusa47 said:
    Bright line brown eye moth - what a delightful name.  Sounds like a duet by Van Morrison and Art Garfunkel.
     :D 
    I must be quite lucky with toms - not had any caterpillar damage [perhaps we don't get those moths here?] I just have to keep the magpies from eating the toms once they're ripe  :#
    Just had a look and I'm sure I've seen those in the garden. Must have been lucky after all. That's the kiss of death then.... ;)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • GrannybeeGrannybee Posts: 332
    I had never heard of them before, much less seen them. Another pest to add to the ever increasing list this year. Normally pest free (except slugs...) but the hot weather has brought them out in droves.
  • WeaveyDaveyWeaveyDavey Posts: 575
    TTT
  • WeaveyDaveyWeaveyDavey Posts: 575
    These three "Tomato Moth" images are from just the other year - little damage resulted.

  • josusa47josusa47 Posts: 3,530
    Are those choc-chip socks?!?
  • WeaveyDaveyWeaveyDavey Posts: 575
    Josusa: They're Heavy duty gardening gloves that have seen better days - I wear them as 'outers' in Winter over a pair of Damarts - they can stand the mud, muck etc rather better!! {They spend the summery months in the greenhouse roof, hence the T moth seekig cover on them}.
  • |soozie|soozie Posts: 5
    This is the second year I've had them, but strangely only in my greenhous at home, never (fingers crossed) at the allotment. There is a robin that I've seen twice in the greenhouse so hopefully if we both keep an eye out......
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