User avatar
Francis Barnswallow
Green Thumb
Posts: 696
Joined: Fri Sep 03, 2010 7:28 pm
Location: Orlando

Does rain cause hornworms to feed?

I've noticed a lot of damage on my tomato plants. There's evidence (chewed leaves/hornworm poop) when I check the tomato plants. Here's the thing, I can never find them unless it rains. Once it rains they seem to come out in the open and start eating the leaves. Just yesterday I picked off 6 three inch hornworms after a heavy rain storm.

User avatar
gixxerific
Super Green Thumb
Posts: 5889
Joined: Fri Jun 26, 2009 5:42 pm
Location: Wentzville, MO (Just West oF St. Louis) Zone 5B

more than likely they are trying to find the upper side of the leaf that is dry. I could be wrong.

And 3 inch hormworms are not so bad wait till they get bigger. :o

The little buggers are hard to find aren't they? Good luck with them I have never had too much problem with them on my tomatoes, though they were there, but they have devastated my peppers before in a very short time.

Try some Dipel Dust or Bt or even Diamataceous (sp) Earth. Though I prefer hand picking or should I say chopping them in half leaf and all and leaving the carcass as a sign to others that may trespass. :twisted:

User avatar
Francis Barnswallow
Green Thumb
Posts: 696
Joined: Fri Sep 03, 2010 7:28 pm
Location: Orlando

:lol:

I usually toss them into the lake, the fish love em'. And they are hard to find, thank God I got very good eyesight.



Return to “Vegetable Gardening Forum”