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Garden Gate:  WOW!  |
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mscountrygirl
True Blue Farmgirl
552 Posts
Michelle
Lucedale
Mississippi
USA
552 Posts |
 Posted - Jul 14 2013 : 5:21:47 PM
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I just killed a caterpillar bigger than my pinky finger off my tomato plants! It was crazy! The only way I found it was by the silver marks on it otherwise it would have gone unnoticed. Would have taken a photo but we are fixin to get a bad storm.
It all comes back to the ground!
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laurentany
True Blue Farmgirl
3259 Posts
Laurie
Patchogue
NY
USA
3259 Posts |
Posted - Jul 14 2013 : 6:15:34 PM
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Michelle,
That was most likely a horn worm caterpillar which will destroy your tomato plants!
When the weather clears, check your plants for more!
You can spray your plants with peppermint extract mixed with water as they do not like the scent of peppermint, yet it will be safe for you (no chemicals).
You should also check under the leaves for eggs which they will lay.
Good Luck!
Hugs,
~Laurie
"Little Hen House on the Island"
Farmgirl Sister#1403
View my New Blog:
http://simplesuburbanpleasures.blogspot.com
Don't judge each day by the harvest you reap, but by the seeds that you plant.
~Robert Louis Stevenson |
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Betty J.
True Blue Farmgirl
1408 Posts
Betty
Pasco
WA
USA
1408 Posts |
Posted - Jul 14 2013 : 7:54:27 PM
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Sometimes you gotta look on the ground for their poop, then upwards to where the leaves are down to the stems to find them. I've been lucky, haven't found any for the last few years. They are voracious eaters.
Now let me tell you about snails........
Betty in Pasco
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magnoliakathy
True Blue Farmgirl
453 Posts
Kathryn
Magnolia
Texas
USA
453 Posts |
Posted - Jul 15 2013 : 05:29:19 AM
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Tomato hornworms are the caterpillar for the hummingbird or hawk moth. They also eat pepper plants. They are repelled by marigolds and peppermint or peppermint oil spray. Parasitoid wasps can also be used. I try to plant a few extra tomatoes and sacrifice those to the hornworm, after all if we kill off all of the hornworms we kill off all the humming bird moths. I understand how devastating it can be to see your beautiful tomato plants denuded by one of this, just putting the information out there, not trying to be rude.
When you free your mind your heart can fly. Farmgirl # 714, |
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mscountrygirl
True Blue Farmgirl
552 Posts
Michelle
Lucedale
Mississippi
USA
552 Posts |
Posted - Jul 15 2013 : 2:04:35 PM
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I'm not offended Kathryn by your comment. I understand there is a delicate balance in nature. Thanks everyone for the support. It has rained again so I haven't been able to check again at any length. It was the strangest thing I ever saw!
It all comes back to the ground!
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prariehawk
True Blue Farmgirl
2914 Posts
Cindy
2914 Posts |
Posted - Jul 15 2013 : 2:54:35 PM
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If it has little white growths all over it, leave it alone, as that means the parasitic wasp has laid its eggs and they will consume the caterpillar when they hatch. Ugh, sounds gross, but that's how nature works.
Cindy
"Vast floods can't quench love, no matter what love did/ Rivers can't drown love, no matter where love's hid"--Sinead O'Connor
"In many ways, you don't just live in the country, it lives inside you"--Ellen Eilers
Visit my blog at http://www.farmerinthebelle.blogspot.com/ |
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FieldsofThyme
Farmgirl Guide & Schoolmarm / Chapter Leader
4928 Posts
USA
4928 Posts |
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Garden Gate: WOW! |
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WOW!
