ArboristSite.com Sponsors
 
 



 
 


Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast
Results 1 to 15 of 17

Thread: HELP: weird caterpillar things on my tomato plants!

  1. 08-02-2010, 02:34 PM #1
    banshee67
    banshee67 is offline
    Poulan Wild Thang
    Reputation Reputation Reputation Reputation Reputation Reputation Reputation Reputation Reputation Reputation Reputation Reputation Reputation Reputation Reputation
    Reputation Reputation Reputation Reputation Reputation Reputation Reputation Reputation Reputation Reputation Reputation Reputation Reputation Reputation Reputation
    Join Date
    Mar 2009
    Location
    waynes world
    Posts
    2,885
    Credits
    979

    HELP: weird caterpillar things on my tomato plants!

    so i found 4 of these guys sitting on my biggest tomato plant that has the most tomatoes on it ( of course)..
    they look like some scary little caterpillar with some crazy colors on it... i remember reading somewhere that some caterpillars are dangerous/toxic? how about all the white sacks on their backs? are those a bunch of of kids? anyone seen these creepy lookin things before?! i have 4 different varieties of tomatoes growing, and this is the only plant with any of these things on it!!
    yes i know cutting branches off is not a good idea.. but im not touching those things..

    Reply With Quote Reply With Quote
  2. 08-02-2010, 02:50 PM #2
    Bigrod
    Bigrod is offline
    Arboristsite MVP
    Reputation Reputation Reputation Reputation Reputation Reputation Reputation Reputation Reputation Reputation Reputation Reputation Reputation Reputation Reputation
    Reputation Reputation Reputation Reputation Reputation Reputation Reputation Reputation Reputation Reputation Reputation Reputation Reputation Reputation Reputation     Bigrod's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2010
    Location
    East Central Illinois
    Posts
    907
    Credits
    366
    We always called them tomato worms. The one with the white on it are eggs laid by a butterfly or moth, not sure which and when hatched they will feed on the worms. We usually walk around the plants in the evening and you can see where they are by the fresh green droppings on the ground and if it is quiet out you can here them crunching on the leaves and stems. We just picked them off and gave them to are chickens. They loved them or just stepped on them and smashed em. Not sure if the have a spray that you can put on the plants but I'm sure there is something out there for them if you wanted to go that route.
    When we were little we tied firecrackers to themand would blow them up.
    Sachs Dolmar 102 - 114 - 120super
    Huskqvarna 350 x2 - 372xp
    Stihl 025 x2 - 290 - 038 AV - 038mag - 066 - 660 - 880
    Reply With Quote Reply With Quote
  3. 08-02-2010, 03:54 PM #3
    poorboypaul
    poorboypaul is offline
    Arboristsite MVP
    Reputation Reputation Reputation Reputation Reputation Reputation Reputation Reputation Reputation Reputation Reputation Reputation Reputation Reputation Reputation
    Reputation Reputation Reputation Reputation Reputation Reputation Reputation Reputation Reputation Reputation Reputation Reputation Reputation Reputation Reputation     poorboypaul's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2010
    Location
    pennsylvania
    Posts
    1,040
    Credits
    560
    Product called "seven" in dust or liquid applied to your 'maters should take care of them. just read and follow label directions carefully.
    Reply With Quote Reply With Quote
  4. 08-02-2010, 04:30 PM #4
    Del_
    Del_ is offline
    Threshold Music and Sound
    Reputation Reputation Reputation Reputation Reputation Reputation Reputation Reputation Reputation Reputation Reputation Reputation Reputation Reputation Reputation
    Reputation Reputation Reputation Reputation Reputation Reputation Reputation Reputation Reputation Reputation Reputation Reputation Reputation Reputation Reputation     Del_'s Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2002
    Location
    Where the universes are.
    Posts
    19,263
    Credits
    3,339

    U. of I. Research: Parasitic Wasps

    Don't kill that caterpillar!

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NNh3e...eature=related

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=39khD_vDhR4&NR=1
    Last edited by TreeCo; 08-02-2010 at 04:35 PM.
    /




    Grow more vegetables!


    "I am a deeply religious non believer." Albert Einstein


    "A new scientific truth does not triumph by convincing its opponents and making them see the light, but rather because its opponents eventually die, and a new generation grows up that is familiar with it

    Max Planck
    Reply With Quote Reply With Quote
  5. 08-02-2010, 04:38 PM #5
    rxe
    rxe is offline
    Arboristsite MVP
    Reputation Reputation Reputation Reputation Reputation Reputation Reputation
    Reputation Reputation Reputation Reputation Reputation Reputation Reputation Reputation     rxe's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2006
    Location
    UK
    Posts
    787
    Credits
    26
    The caterpillar is a privet hawk moth - not a pest at all, stick it on a privet hedge.

    http://ukmoths.org.uk/show.php?id=1772

    Not sure what the blobs are - could well be parasitic wasps.
    Reply With Quote Reply With Quote
  6. 08-02-2010, 08:51 PM #6
    Birdhunter1
    Birdhunter1 is offline
    Senior Member
    Reputation Reputation Reputation Reputation Reputation Reputation Reputation Reputation Reputation Reputation Reputation Reputation Reputation Reputation Reputation
    Reputation Reputation Reputation Reputation Reputation Reputation Reputation Reputation Reputation Reputation Reputation Reputation Reputation Reputation Reputation     Birdhunter1's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2009
    Location
    Murphysboro, IL
    Posts
    209
    Credits
    82
    It's actually sevin dust not seven dust. Though I hate maters my grandma taught me how to dust em, take an old mayo jar with a metal lid, poke holes in it suitable for say lightning bugs to survive, fill it with sevind sut and shake it onto your plants. Works well on all your garden stuff to keep bugs off, cabbage, beans, cucumbers...... not corn.

    She died at age 86 or something like that, my other grandma was in her 90's, as far as I know they used it since who knows when.
    Reply With Quote Reply With Quote
  7. 08-03-2010, 02:53 AM #7
    poorboypaul
    poorboypaul is offline
    Arboristsite MVP
    Reputation Reputation Reputation Reputation Reputation Reputation Reputation Reputation Reputation Reputation Reputation Reputation Reputation Reputation Reputation
    Reputation Reputation Reputation Reputation Reputation Reputation Reputation Reputation Reputation Reputation Reputation Reputation Reputation Reputation Reputation     poorboypaul's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2010
    Location
    pennsylvania
    Posts
    1,040
    Credits
    560
    What's sevin dsut?
    Reply With Quote Reply With Quote
  8. 08-03-2010, 11:03 AM #8
    banshee67
    banshee67 is offline
    Poulan Wild Thang
    Reputation Reputation Reputation Reputation Reputation Reputation Reputation Reputation Reputation Reputation Reputation Reputation Reputation Reputation Reputation
    Reputation Reputation Reputation Reputation Reputation Reputation Reputation Reputation Reputation Reputation Reputation Reputation Reputation Reputation Reputation
    Join Date
    Mar 2009
    Location
    waynes world
    Posts
    2,885
    Credits
    979
    wow, so i got caterpillars attacking my tomatoes, and parasitic wasps attacking my caterpillars>?
    .. that video really creeped me out

    i didnt know what to do with em, so i just threw the 4 of em in the woods

    will wasps hatch out of those white eggs?

    about this sevin dust... is it non-toxic and safe?
    my tomatoes and all my herbs and peppers are all organic and grown in organic soil with organic nutrients, i dont want to cover them in something that isnt healthy or possibly harmful? but then again i dont think you guys would recommend using it on tomato plants if it was harmful to my health?

    thanks for the replies
    Reply With Quote Reply With Quote
  9. 08-03-2010, 02:33 PM #9
    brandonc77
    brandonc77 is offline
    Junior Member
    Reputation Reputation Reputation Reputation Reputation Reputation
    Join Date
    Nov 2009
    Location
    Kentucky
    Posts
    11
    Credits
    5
    Yeah those eggs will hatch and slowly eat the caterpiller for food then they will stick around and kill unwanted bugs in your garden. Also stay way from Sevin Dust its not organic at all and will kill bugs that are good for your garden like lady bugs and spiny soldier bugs. Use Diatomaceous Earth it is organic pest control if needed.
    As for the Catepillers destroying your tomatoes just pull them off and like previously mention put them on some kind of invasive plant nearby like a privet or bush honeysuckle. Your tomatoes will be fine.
    Reply With Quote Reply With Quote
  10. 08-03-2010, 02:59 PM #10
    Labman
    Labman is offline
    Arboristsite MVP
    Reputation Reputation Reputation Reputation Reputation Reputation Reputation Reputation Reputation Reputation Reputation Reputation Reputation Reputation Reputation
    Reputation Reputation Reputation Reputation Reputation Reputation Reputation Reputation Reputation Reputation Reputation Reputation Reputation Reputation Reputation
    Join Date
    Jun 2006
    Location
    Nothern US
    Posts
    815
    Credits
    215
    None of the insecticides are completely safe, but Sevin is one of the lessor problems. As above, read and follow directions. Good all around advice. I have learned a lot reading directions.
    Reply With Quote Reply With Quote
  11. 08-03-2010, 03:18 PM #11
    Birdhunter1
    Birdhunter1 is offline
    Senior Member
    Reputation Reputation Reputation Reputation Reputation Reputation Reputation Reputation Reputation Reputation Reputation Reputation Reputation Reputation Reputation
    Reputation Reputation Reputation Reputation Reputation Reputation Reputation Reputation Reputation Reputation Reputation Reputation Reputation Reputation Reputation     Birdhunter1's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2009
    Location
    Murphysboro, IL
    Posts
    209
    Credits
    82
    Banshee here ya go, a quick tutorial on it:
    http://www.gardentech.com/sevin_fastfacts.asp

    In a true organic garden you wouldn't use this as it is a chemical (my opinion on it but I am not an organic guy). But from what I've read on it it doesn't absorb into plant tissue it sits on the outside. Both grandma's and my parents wash the veggies before they eat em, I'm 30 years old and like I said as long as I can remember my grandmothers and parent's have used it.
    Reply With Quote Reply With Quote
  12. 08-04-2010, 04:52 PM #12
    Hansenj11
    Hansenj11 is offline
    Member
    Reputation Reputation Reputation Reputation Reputation Reputation Reputation Reputation Reputation Reputation Reputation Reputation Reputation Reputation Reputation
    Reputation Reputation Reputation Reputation Reputation Reputation Reputation Reputation Reputation Reputation Reputation Reputation Reputation Reputation Reputation
    Join Date
    Sep 2008
    Location
    West Chester
    Posts
    92
    Credits
    41
    its called a horn caterpillar, stuff called Bacillus Thuringiensis (Bt) will kill it and its organic
    Reply With Quote Reply With Quote
  13. 08-04-2010, 04:59 PM #13
    banshee67
    banshee67 is offline
    Poulan Wild Thang
    Reputation Reputation Reputation Reputation Reputation Reputation Reputation Reputation Reputation Reputation Reputation Reputation Reputation Reputation Reputation
    Reputation Reputation Reputation Reputation Reputation Reputation Reputation Reputation Reputation Reputation Reputation Reputation Reputation Reputation Reputation
    Join Date
    Mar 2009
    Location
    waynes world
    Posts
    2,885
    Credits
    979
    i dont really want to kill things, i just dont want them on my plants. i threw the caterpillars and wasps eggs things in the river the other day, i will try and see what i can get at my local store,i like the idea of organic stuff on things im going to eat if i can control it, the plant in question has about 20 nice big green tomatoes on it i dont wana lose em to the caterpillars infested with wasps, i ve never seen anything like that, thanks for all the info and replies
    Reply With Quote Reply With Quote
  14. 08-05-2010, 06:33 AM #14
    Stihlofadeal64
    Stihlofadeal64 is offline
    Arboristsite MVP
    Reputation Reputation Reputation Reputation Reputation Reputation Reputation Reputation Reputation Reputation Reputation Reputation Reputation Reputation Reputation
    Reputation Reputation Reputation Reputation Reputation Reputation Reputation Reputation Reputation Reputation Reputation Reputation Reputation Reputation Reputation
    Join Date
    May 2009
    Location
    Rowan
    Posts
    1,782
    Credits
    616
    Quote Originally Posted by banshee67 View Post
    i dont really want to kill things, i just dont want them on my plants. i threw the caterpillars and wasps eggs things in the river the other day, i will try and see what i can get at my local store,i like the idea of organic stuff on things im going to eat if i can control it, the plant in question has about 20 nice big green tomatoes on it i dont wana lose em to the caterpillars infested with wasps, i ve never seen anything like that, thanks for all the info and replies
    Use the organic stuff to treat your plants. Then when the tomatoes are ripe, pull them, wash them, slice them. Use your favorite whole wheat bread and add some Duke's mayo and salt and pepper. Be careful though, if you lay the sandwich near your mouth your tongue may slap your brains out!
    Stihl 023, 025; MS200T, 026 pro, Stihl 044 - my personal favorite! Stihl MS460 Magnum - bring it ON!
    Did I hear you say "STIHL" ? Sounds like music to my ears!
    Reply With Quote Reply With Quote
  15. 08-13-2010, 01:38 PM #15
    redoakneck
    redoakneck is offline
    Arboristsite MVP
    Reputation Reputation Reputation Reputation Reputation Reputation Reputation Reputation Reputation Reputation Reputation Reputation Reputation Reputation Reputation
    Reputation Reputation Reputation Reputation Reputation Reputation Reputation Reputation Reputation Reputation Reputation Reputation Reputation Reputation Reputation     redoakneck's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2010
    Location
    ohio
    Posts
    1,090
    Credits
    761
    I can not believe I haven't seen 1 suggestion on a chainsaw forum not to buzz that little free loading tomato sucker with a 7900 or 090!!!!

    Ha Ha, I am the tomato king and my suggestion to you is to pay some kids 25cents a piece to pick them off. They will die from the parasite larva anyway.

    Pete
    Attached Images Attached Images
    Last edited by redoakneck; 08-13-2010 at 01:55 PM.
    A strong back and a weak mind have left me with the " if yer gonna be stupid, you better be tough" mentality
    Reply With Quote Reply With Quote
Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast
« Previous Thread | Next Thread »

Thread Information

Users Browsing this Thread

There are currently 1 users browsing this thread. (0 members and 1 guests)

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •  

Forum Rules

Page generated in 0.29910 seconds with 44 queries [Server Loads: 1.33 0.94 : 0.87]