Tomato Bugs

Tomatoes are among the most popular plants grown in vegetable gardens. Appearance of bugs on tomato plants is a sign of caution for tomato growers, who have been waiting all the time to harvest ripe, juicy tomatoes. Tomato plants are prone to some diseases and pests that can affect the crop and the most common among these pests are tomato bugs. Let us take a look at the commonly found tomato bugs and how to get rid of them.

Tomato Bugs and Diseases

Most of the tomato plant problems are caused by lack of proper care, nutritional deficiencies, pests and diseases. While, calcium deficiency can result in blossom end rot, characterized by large black spot on tomatoes, phosphorous deficiency starts with discoloration of tomato leaves to a purplish coloration. Tomatoes may also face magnesium deficiency that can start with yellowing of the leaves and result in stunted growth. Other tomato plant diseases include early blight caused by fungus. This is characterized by brown spots with yellow margins, on the leaves.

Leaf spot is another problem faced by tomato plants and are caused by fungus only. Another fungal disease in tomatoes is septoria leaf spot, which causes white and gray spots on the leaves. Fungus can also cause late blight, root rot, fusarium wilt and fusarium crown rot, etc. Other tomato plant diseases include bacterial canker, tomato spotted wilt, sunscald, catfacing, etc. There are various bugs that attack and cause harm to tomato plants. This include flea beetles, whiteflies, aphids, stinkbugs, red spider mite, leaf miner, leaf hoppers, Colarodo potato beetles, etc.

How to Get Rid of Tomato Bugs

Tomato plant bugs are numerous. These tomato eating bugs can destroy tomatoes as well as the plants in a very short time. So, effective control measures have to be taken at the very onset, so that these bugs on tomato plants can be eradicated, before they cause harm. The following are some of the common tomato bugs and methods to control these bugs.

Tomato horn worms: They are one of the most voracious feeders that can strip off the leaves and unripe fruits from the plant in a very short time. Tomato horn worms are actually caterpillars of a huge moth named five-spotted hawkmoth. These caterpillars are green in color with V-shaped markings over the body and a greenish red horn on the hind end. Companion planting using marigolds, borage, basil, etc., are said to be effective in countering these pests. Application of mild soap solution or use of common vegetable insecticides are also said to be good for saving your tomato plants from horn worms. While fall tilling can destroy its pupae, rotating crops can also be beneficial.

Aphids: Aphids are pear-shaped insects that come in various colors, like, pink, green, black, red, yellow, brown, dusty gray, etc. While, most of them lack wings, some have transparent wings. They have two short tubes on the hind end and also possess long antennae. These soft-bodied tomato bugs are usually found on the underside of the leaves or on the soft parts of the plant. They suck out the sap of the plant and cause harm to the plant, but, not tomatoes. The excrement of these bugs remain on the leaves that become sticky and this may lead to black mold. Aphids on tomatoes can be countered with ladybugs or else, resort to companion planting, using coriander, garlic, chives, anise, petunias, nasturtiums, etc. You may also use sticky traps or apply soap solution to get rid of these insects.

Flea Beetles: Flea beetles are also like aphids in size and come in different colors. They can be described as jumping insects that usually attack young tomato plants. Flea beetles feed on the leaves that causes holes or pits on the leaves and sometimes fruits. Considerable damage can be caused, if there is a flea beetle infestation. In small numbers these tomato bugs cannot cause much damage. These bugs can be repelled with powdered red pepper or with wormwood spray. In order to keep your tomato plants free of these bugs, keep the premises clean, without any debris. Application of neem oil as an insecticide can also effectively control them.

Leafhoppers: These tomato bugs are triangular in shape with a body length of around ¼ to ½ an inch. They are light green in color and are often found to be hopping across leaves. While leafhoppers can feed on the tomato plants and cause damage, they can also carry curly top virus that can stunt the growth of plants. It is difficult to control leafhoppers in large numbers and strong insecticides will be required for this purpose. Companion planting can be sometimes effective, but, natural predators can be a much better option. The latter group includes spiders, lizards, predatory wasps, etc. Keep the garden devoid of weeds.

Now, you have a fair idea about some of the common tomato bugs and the methods to control them. There are many other bugs, like, stink bugs that can be controlled with predators, like lizards. While potato beetles can be controlled with companion planting (using horseradish, tansy, dead nettle, catnip, coriander, nasturtiums, etc.), insecticidal soap application is found to be effective in eliminating psyllids. So, take preventive measures to prevent these bugs from attacking your tomato plants. If you notice infestation of tomato bugs on the plants, control them at the earliest.