tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1625358521246025732.post4437636351182306380..comments2013-09-05T02:57:09.525-04:00Comments on Homer, Cosmo and a Garden: Tomato Hornworm InfestationMikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16775747958447113245noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1625358521246025732.post-14146545428920733102012-08-07T22:25:21.125-04:002012-08-07T22:25:21.125-04:00Hi Mike,
I was at my sister in law's house las...Hi Mike,<br />I was at my sister in law's house last weekend and she mentionned something about huge green worms eating her tomato plants. So we went to check out the garden and there it was! Just sitting there eating a leaf! She had picked several off the day before. Seems like they are quite abundant this year as this was the first time I had ever seen one (or heard of them). Good thing I read this post a few days before... It really made me look like I knew what I was talking about!Fred Rouleauhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06257039680735475926noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1625358521246025732.post-68737544868840191012012-07-30T21:25:31.460-04:002012-07-30T21:25:31.460-04:00Hello.
From what I've read, the hornworms hat...Hello.<br /><br />From what I've read, the hornworms hatch from eggs layed by giant moths. I have seen these moths in the past and they are impressively large. I suspect the spring and summer conditions we experienced had more to do with it than the mild winter because the hornworms/pupae/moths are very common throughout cold regions of Canada and the US. But ever since my infestation 3 years ago I've always kept an eye out for the damage and pounce on the buggers as soon as possible. One day makes a big difference.<br /><br />When I rototilled in the spring I came across many reddish brown cocoons (pupae) of the moth in the soil. They looked a little smaller than this picture http://www.ipm.iastate.edu/ipm/hortnews/2009/9-16/hornwormpupa.html. I tossed them out of the garden. But I doubt you can get them all causing the cycle to continue.<br /><br />For the record I picked out 26. One of my neighbours picked +20 and another said they picked "lots". I know for a fact there are at least two more that I just can't find.<br /><br />Thanks for the comment and good luck to your parents.<br /><br />MikeMikehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16775747958447113245noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1625358521246025732.post-53530422523286865532012-07-30T13:07:17.606-04:002012-07-30T13:07:17.606-04:00Hi Mike! My parents, who live southwest of Ottawa,...Hi Mike! My parents, who live southwest of Ottawa, are dealing with a tomato hornworm infestation as well. This is the first year they've ever found more than one or two worms in the garden - to date this season they've found over 35. I wonder why the upsurge? Perhaps the mild winter is to blame?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com