Tomato & Tobacco Hornworm Pests

| February 24, 2016 | 2 Replies

Tomato & tobacco hornworm pests can devastate your garden, specifically your tomatoes, peppers and eggplants. I first heard about the hornworm from my neighbor, Jim, who appeared in my first tomato episode. I felt lucky I had not seen one! For a couple of years, I visualized having to get a pair of tongs to pull them off my plants when I did. And I knew eventually I would. I think the reason I never saw a big one was because I was vigilant at squishing small ones.

So last October, I was put to the test. When I spotted a 5th instar (the largest interval before metamorphosis) hornworm larva on a pepper plant (the tomato vines were long gone by then), I discovered all I wanted to do was see it metamorphose. I brought the hornworm in the kitchen and fed it for a week. Here’s the story in my latest episode of Late Bloomer. I hope you enjoy it and share with friends. I guarantee I won’t be so compassionate come summer!

Tomato & Tobacco Hornworm Pests

My tobacco hornworm Freddie

Have you had tomato & tobacco pests in your garden? How did you deal with them? Most people recommend feeding them to their chickens. Watch on YouTube at HD for best resolution. Thanks for watching!! – Kaye

I receive a small commission for promoting products I’ve used and believe in. Your support of these products helps me to continue to produce “Late Bloomer” episodes. Click button to order products! 

Sharing Seeds: Helps You, Helps Me! - Buy button

Buy Botanical Interests Seeds!

I need financial support for Season 5 of “Late Bloomer.” Consider making a donation to keep Late Bloomer blooming! Thanks for your support! ~ Kaye

Help me inspire people to grow their own food and take control over their food security. Your donation of any amount makes “Late Bloomer” possible and available for anyone. CLICK HERE TO DONATE NOW!

Thank you!

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Category: Late Bloomer Episodes, Pests

Comments (2)

Trackback URL | Comments RSS Feed

  1. Interesting show Kaye. I grow not only lots of tomatoes and peppers but also tobacco so have seen this worm larvae and moth in my gardens for years. I did not know there were 2 kinds. I recall watching the moths feeding on the nectar of the tobacco plants petunias and 5 oclocks. I thought they were hummingbirds for a while as they are about the same size. I carry scissors in my pocket in the garden and cut them in half when I find them. But do not cut any who have little white seed like things on their backs. These have been paratizised by a predatory wasp. They stop feeding and die but host more of the predators do control them naturally. This is why I do not use even organic sprays in my gardens. I thought you’d like to know.
    :)Sharon

    • Thank you, Sharon. I did know about parasitized hornworms, but I have yet to see one. I hope if I see another big one it has been parasitized! Thanks for contributing!! The moths are beautiful.

Leave a Reply