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Moth, myth or mithuss?

WeaveyDaveyWeaveyDavey Posts: 575
in Wildlife gardening

image

Can anyone put a name to this friendly character, spotted in the eves of my greenhouse the other evening? [over 2cm long, quite heavy-bodied] A near match in colour for my 'rufty-tufty' garden gloves!

Posts

  • Alan Clark2 in LiverpoolAlan Clark2 in Liverpool Posts: 2,190

    It looks like the Bright-line Brown–eye or Tomato Moth (Lacanobia oleracea).

    http://www.wildlifeinsight.com/the-bright-line-brown-eye-tomato-moth-laconobia-oleracea-bf-no-2160/ 

  • nutcutletnutcutlet Posts: 27,445

    agree

    I didn't know it was called tomato moth



    In the sticks near Peterborough
  • WeaveyDaveyWeaveyDavey Posts: 575

    Thanks for your prompt responses, folks! Another 'first' for my garden. I will just have to guard my toms re: caterpillars (if/when they start flowering?! No eggs spotted on plants in gh, as yet!

    Last edited: 20 June 2016 19:15:52

  • WeaveyDaveyWeaveyDavey Posts: 575

    At least one egg must have been laid by the adult as this fella is gradually reducing the foliage on the tomato plants...

    imageI think he'll have his work cut out to have any real effect, so maybe we'll leave him be & look out for his pupa in the soil when I 'clear out' at the end of the season?

  • WelshonionWelshonion Posts: 3,114

    Tomato moths eat tomatoes!

  • WeaveyDaveyWeaveyDavey Posts: 575

    Yep, Welshonion - my 'guest' obviously likes a more balanced diet with extra 'greens' included!! [ note the frass in the pic - that looks more like digested leaf material]. *The snails & slugs are the only ones I've caught 'sampling' the tomatoes whilst they're still green. 

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