Hunting Tomato Hornworms

Tomato Hornworm

Each day Dann and I do a pass of the tomato plants in the garden, we aren't just looking for the shiny red fruit the plants share with us, we are looking for signs of Tomato Hornworms. 



While the worm itself isn't always easy to spot as it does it's best to "blend in" the signs are unmistakable.  Branches are missing leaves, and there are the droppings...yes, very large droppings are spotted usually on leaves just under where the horn worm is located.

Missing leaves - evidence of a Tomato Hornworm

Droppings - evidence of a Tomato Hornworm

Once the tell tail signs are spotted the hunt is on, another game of I Spy in the Garden.  Tonight we located 3 worms during our tour.  This is the second incident we've had, the first occuring about a month ago.  They seem to prefer our cherry tomatoes to the others at this time. 

I Spy a Tomato Hornworm

Of course the worms are not wasted in our yard, and in all honesty they are welcomed.  Dann removes them carefully from their perch and feeds them to the ladies as a delicacy he calls "Hornworm on a  Steek."

Tomato Hornworm on a Steek