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Produce => Pests & Diseases => Topic started by: Kerry on August 22, 2005, 19:05:32

Title: tomato moth?
Post by: Kerry on August 22, 2005, 19:05:32
have any of you tomato growers out there had trouble with this?

i'm presuming it IS the tomato moth in my greenhouse - holes eaten in the leaves, droppings left and so far 3 caterpillars picked off the plants. there have also been holes eaten in the fruits.
i've tried to 'google' it but am puzzled as to why i've got it and where it comes from!

anyone else had it-how did you control it? i'm hoping it does not overwinter, i have visions of watering the floor with jeyes in autumn!

any help appreciated.
Title: Re: tomato moth?
Post by: jennym on August 23, 2005, 01:18:54
Is this it?
http://www.butterfly-conservation.org/features/bpy2003/tomato_bug.html
Title: Re: tomato moth?
Post by: tim on August 23, 2005, 06:11:36
Always get a bit of it.
Title: Re: tomato moth?
Post by: Kerry on August 23, 2005, 11:25:13
jenny-doesn't look like the caterpillars i have found ???. these are bright green! and quite large (yuck). thanks anyway-

tim-how do you control it? just pick them off when seen? clean down surfaces over winter?
Title: Re: tomato moth?
Post by: tim on August 23, 2005, 11:53:13
Yes!! Just the same as for aphids.

And we soak the 'house with Armillatox each Spring. It has helped.
Title: Re: tomato moth?
Post by: Kerry on August 23, 2005, 16:22:22
thanks both.
Title: Re: tomato moth?
Post by: Busby on March 06, 2006, 15:49:02
Let me tell you what happened to me.  A few years ago now I noticed a tomato on the vine which had a sort of transparent 'window' on the upper curve. I let it alone and eventually the tomato ripened and I took it home. At home I noticed there was a small hole or split in the 'window' and pressed it open with my finger. To my utter surprise a moth crawled out, I did nothing, the moth slowly sort of recovered and then fluttered to the floor. After a few minutes it was strong enoubh to fly and went out of the open french windows!