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Shield bug tomato damage

B3B3 Posts: 27,505
in Fruit & veg
I know that the tomatoes with littlewhite spots are safe to eat but I would still like to know what the spots are made of before I tuck in. Can anyone tell me?
In London. Keen but lazy.
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Posts

  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    Can we see a picture?

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • floraliesfloralies Posts: 2,718
    We have Shield Bugs everywhere at the moment, it seems to be a *good* year for them, probably the continuous hot weather. The nymphs are all over the tomatoes at the moment, I will try and get a photo.
  • B3B3 Posts: 27,505
    edited October 2023
    Here you go  @Dovefromabove
    The one on the  right is definitely  sb damage  not sure about  the others
    Most of the crop  is OK

    Edit pictures not great .can have smother go if necessary
    In London. Keen but lazy.
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    I think they’re not made of anything other than tomato … the white patches are just where something (shield bugs?) have sucked the colouration from them. 
    I’d eat them happily. 

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • B3B3 Posts: 27,505
    That's great. I've been dumping them. Silly me. Thank you @Dovefromabove
    In London. Keen but lazy.
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    As long as there isn't any obvious creature crawling in or out of them, or there's no large areas of rot, they're fine. Alternatively, make them into a sauce.
    I eat any tomato as long as it isn't as described  :D

    I don't get shield bugs on mine, but perhaps it's certain varieties they like or something. Mine are mostly indoors too. 
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    edited October 2023
    Supermarkets and their insistence on visual perfection (and the use of pesticides to obtain it) mean we’ve lost sight of what is normal. 😢 

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • amancalledgeorgeamancalledgeorge Posts: 2,736
    I think it more the lack of discrimination of when an imperfection is just skin deep or not. I'd have non-issue consuming most produce that I could clean out the affected area with a pairing knife. Perfection is boring 🤣
    To Plant a Garden is to Believe in Tomorrow
  • floraliesfloralies Posts: 2,718
    I've just been out to look at mine, and just when you want a picture there's not one to be seen! I just throw them off when i see them and if there's any damage I just cut that tiny bit out, they make no difference to making sauces, soups or just eating.
  • B3B3 Posts: 27,505
    With small cherry tomatoes, there's not much left If you cut off the bit with a blemish. So long as I'm not eating bug eggs or a disease, I'm not bothered.
    In London. Keen but lazy.
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