Seems like I have tomato hornworms.

[gixxerific]

Well that's waht Mr. Cardinal told me today. As I was shopping for garlic I see a cardinal land right outside my window.

"Oh wait he has something in its mouth, that better not be a flower stem, oh snap that is a hornworm":P

Thanks buddy, I went to the window to get a better look and scared him away, but the ol' horny already has wasp eggs on him. A double plus. Time to go check out the garden now.

[applestar]

Good to see your Garden Patrol members on the job.

Male cardinals are such a show-off and good at tooting his horn (or singing at the top of his voice from the highest perch available) -- he probably wanted to make sure you acknowledged his accomplishments.

[hendi_alex]

We have lots of birds in our yard. Over the season I've seen evidence of tomato hornworms a time or two, but never found an active muncher. The bird patrols must be effective here as well.

[TZ -OH6]

I think the little birds clean them out here early in the season but when the cages fill up with leaves the birds can't find them as easily. I see little wrens etc hopping through the cages all the time.

[gixxerific]

TZ I have an army of birds that lovingly hop around my thick plants. They are doing a great job

I posted about them here. https://www.helpfulgardener.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=216053#216053

[soil]

I don't even check for them anymore. the birds always seem to get them before they can do any damage.