Super-tiny Orange Worm Killing Tomato Blossoms - Any Clues?

Question

I noticed the other day that the blossoms on my tomato plants were dying and chalked it up to hot evenings lately here in Annapolis, Md. When I checked again today, I noticed tiny orange worm-like creatures (the size of a eight of an eyebrow in thickness and length) on the stem connecting to the blossoms which they're probably eating. One dead blossom had hard, white dots on it. Anyway, I sprayed the plants with Sevin and hope this will solve the problem, but was wondering if anyone else has ever seen or experienced this problem as I can't find it on any website or in any gardening books I own. Thanks in advance for any insight and remedies you might be able to offer! - Mike

Answer 1

Is it possible they are Ladybug larvae or pupae? They invaded my tomatoes last year,but as it turns out they were better for the plants than I thought. They were eating all of the aphids and such. Here are some pics: http://www.danesphoto.com/ladybugs3.html

I wouldn't use pesticides on your veggies, get some insecticidal soap or use a dish soap water mixture to spray the leaves.
Good luck!

Answer 2

It could be a pupa from the Tomato Hornworm, also known as the Tobacco Sphinx, Manduca sexta.

Look :http://www.whatsthatbug.com/tomato.html

Those hard white dots could have been the eggs of the parasites of the Tomato Hornworm (Braconid Wasps).

Tomato hornworms are controled by dusting them with flour to suffocate them, using a garden quality diatomaceous earth that cuts them up, hand picking them, or using bacillus thuringiensis as a spray for long-term control. You can also sprinkle hot chili pepper on them or sour milk.

Mix 1 Tabsp. Ivory liquid soap and 1 Tablsp of vegetable oil with 1 Gallon water and spray. Try to coat the pests so the oil can suffocate them.

Good luck! Hope this helps.

Answer 3

Oh heaven, don't use those pesticides!

Do me a favor and cut off every single leaf and stem in your plant that does not have blooms by now. You can use diluted Murphy's Oil soap, 1 part to 9 water, and spray the insects and eggs. They breathe through their skin and you actually suffocate them. Murphy's Oil is vegetable based, and a safer alternative.

Then, stay away from Miracle-Gro and those unnatural things. Get some fish emulsion, and bone meal for strong roots and blooms. Mulch it, cage it, keep the air circulating around it (and trimming off leaves and suckers will help a lot in fighting viral infections), and wait to enjoy your tomatoes!

Answer 4

Use malathon spray. you additionally can try in basic terms a small lid with some beer in it. It atracts the bugs and kills them. or use a aluminum pie pan with some sliced cucumber and a small volume of water. It sends a small electric ask your self to the floor and runs away the bugs.