Patches' Acre

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Welcome to our acre, where we look to grow closer to each other, God and our patch of land in the world. We welcome your advice and encouragement as we walk along this road together. ~Karin De La Rosa

Monday, August 15, 2011

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


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