Be on the lookout!
Do you see these worms on your tomato plants?
(Potato Beetle Larva - aka tomato worms!)
(Not the tomato worms you're seeing? Check hornworms.)
While these nasty little worm like bugs are named after their taste for potato plants, they're also quite happy tp make a tasty meal of your tomato plants.
Meet the Colorado Potato Beetle Larva (shown above). While they look like worms, and they enjoy tomato plants, these are actually the immature larva of the Colorado Potato Beetle. The larva are chunky and come in a variety of different colors (red, yellow, orange). I suspect that the color changes based on the age/stage of the larva (tomato worms). As shown above, they tend to have rows of black dots along their sides. These little insects have a great appetite and can inflict massive damage on your tomato plant's leaves and stems.
Adult version shown below
The adult version of the Colorado Potato Beetle (also known as potato bugs) is a yellow beetle with black stripes. The adults will also dine your tomato plants. If left to themselves, they'll reproduce and lay eggs that will continue (and grow) the insect infestation exponentially.
You'll find their orange eggs in rows on the undersides of leaves. Once the eggs mature, you'll have another hatch of larva (you may be calling them "tomato worms"). The life cycle of this pest tends to complete in a month. Depending upon the length of your gardening season, you can have multiple insect life-cycles in any one gardening season.
NOTE: These insects will not only dine on your tomato and potato plants, but also any others in the same family, such as peppers, eggplants, etc.
Organic Pest / Insect Control Solutions:
Pick the "tomato worms" (beetle larva) by hand. (Note: you'll need to be dilligent and enthusiastic in your effort, to adequately stiffle the hatches.) I place the larva / bugs in a container with water mixed with liquid soap.
If you find any eggs on your plant's leaves, be sure to destroy and dispose of the eggs.
It's also thought that a very thick layer of mulch around the base of the plants might help thwart these pests.
Non-Organic Solutions:
Spray once a week, until the infestation is gone. Consult your local garden authority, but they'll most likely recommend a pesticide such as SEVIN, or diazinon.
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Note: the advice and information contained herein is based upon our experience and study.
As with any advice, please apply at your own discretion.