Death Warrants Issued. Help. Warning: CLOSE-UPs of my finger!

Gerardo · August 4, 2015

Hello all:

These guys are doing a number on my trusses, especially the PL plants.

death warrant 3.TV.jpg

They come in green and light brown, and there's also a smaller/rounder version.

death warrant 5.jpg

I suspect my Neem/DE treatments for spidermites took out their predators.

death warrant 4.TV.jpg

And now the new growth and the trusses below it have been wiped out by these guys on select plants. Some suffering more (Couilles de Taureau, most of my PLs, Danko) and others seemingly unaffected (Brad's Black Heart). They leave tell-tale brown marks where they leech away their day.

damage to truss.tV.jpg

pre.TV.jpg

post.TV.jpg

It's not all bad news. It seems the DE treatments have not affected bees. Here's a happy camper for all you bee lovers.
sunflower tall 2.TV.bee.jpg

for bee lovers.TV.jpg

And one final sunflower from this morning.
sunflower tall 3.TV.jpg

Can you please offer your favorite way to eliminate my unwanted guests?

Much appreciated!

Waiting for sundown to Neem 'em.

AlittleSalt · August 4, 2015

I use Garden Safe.

If that doesn't work, I use Triazicide. I've used Malathion in years past.

Barb_FL · August 4, 2015

What are they?

RayR · August 4, 2015

I don't do anything about aphids, I've learned that if you don't spray insecticides all over the place the braconid wasps will come around and take the aphids out for you.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rLtUk-W5Gpk

KarenO · August 4, 2015

Awesome macros
KarenO

ginger2778 · August 4, 2015

They aren't aphids, they are common named tomato bugs. Engytatus Modestus is their taxonomic name. Formerly called Cyrtopeltus Modestus. They are a true bug with a hard body, and Neem wont even touch them, it only kills soft bodied insects. They love to feed on tomato blossoms and then they fall off. The only thing I found that actually killed mine was, unfortunately, Sevin. I have gotten them for 2 years now, they are horrible.

BigVanVader · August 4, 2015

Dang hate that for you, being hard bodied DE powder should work? Never had them so can't say for sure but it should.

Hunt-Grow-Cook · August 4, 2015

HA! The MC Hammer of "pollen pants" on that bee. So cool and great shots!

kurt · August 4, 2015

When I need some natural interference I go to this outfit.Good info for other pests.
http://www.arbico-organics.com/categ...r-guide-aphids

RayR · August 4, 2015

Never heard of Tomato Bugs before. How far north do they range?
I see they are an omnivore of the insect world, they prey on soft body insects like aphids and white fly.

ginger2778 · August 4, 2015

Quote:

Originally Posted by RayR

Never heard of Tomato Bugs before. How far north do they range?
I see they are an omnivore of the insect world, they prey on soft body insects like aphids and white fly.

Ray, I have no idea how far north.
Please could you put up a link that you got for your research on them? I would like to read about their feeding habits and anything else, because I think I am going to be seeing them more and more. I know they lay eggs inside a stem snd you can see a raised brown area where they are, which is a weak area that can break when the stem has a weight or wind stress on it.
My observation is that they like tomato plants much better than aphids and white flies.

RayR · August 5, 2015

Quote:

Originally Posted by ginger2778

Ray, I have no idea how far north.
Please could you put up a link that you got for your research on them? I would like to read about their feeding habits and anything else, because I think I am going to be seeing them more and more. I know they lay eggs inside a stem snd you can see a raised brown area where they are, which is a weak area that can break when the stem has a weight or wind stress on it.
My observation is that they like tomato plants much better than aphids and white flies.

FEEDING HABITS OF THE TOMATO BUG

Stop Tomato Bugs From Sucking Your Crops Dry

Meet the Tomato Bug!

Tomato bugs could be a problem in small farms and home gardens

ginger2778 · August 5, 2015

Quote:

Originally Posted by RayR

FEEDING HABITS OF THE TOMATO BUG

Stop Tomato Bugs From Sucking Your Crops Dry

Meet the Tomato Bug!

Tomato bugs could be a problem in small farms and home gardens

Great links Ray, many thanks. Interesting, the second link says neonicotinoid pesticides are effective early on, and, and Kurt's link said 70% neem IS effective against hard bodied true bugs in the nymph stages . Good to know that I was wrong and very strong neem may be useful.
Still reading, these links are excellent. A year ago, I googled and could find almost nothing.

Gerardo · August 5, 2015

Quote:

Originally Posted by RayR

FEEDING HABITS OF THE TOMATO BUG

Stop Tomato Bugs From Sucking Your Crops Dry

Meet the Tomato Bug!

Tomato bugs could be a problem in small farms and home gardens

These are great links. Unfortunately, I recognize most of the elements in those pics.

This seems to be common wording:

"There is no information available on natural enemies, pesticide treatments, or other management options specific to tomato bugs."

Yet it seems most recommend to follow stink bug management reqs, so I will follow suit. The UC IPM pest management guidelines are here:

http://www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/PMG/r783300211.html

I'm gonna walk in to the Ag supply store and find the right tool for the job, based on the above link. Will definitely report on the outcomes.

coastal bend · August 4, 2015

They are bad news. I had them 4 years ago. I had already set a big crop of tomatoes so I still had a good crop of tomatoes. but everything above what was already set did not make one tomato. they feed on the stem below the terminal and any truss above that is history.I used malathion to kill them. I haven't had a problem since then but I keep a eye out for them. Nobody around here has had a problem with them. They didn't know what they were.

August 4, 2015	#1
Gerardo Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: San Diego-Tijuana Posts: 2,594	Death Warrants Issued. Help. Warning: CLOSE-UPs of my finger! Hello all: These guys are doing a number on my trusses, especially the PL plants. death warrant 3.TV.jpg They come in green and light brown, and there's also a smaller/rounder version. death warrant 5.jpg I suspect my Neem/DE treatments for spidermites took out their predators. death warrant 4.TV.jpg And now the new growth and the trusses below it have been wiped out by these guys on select plants. Some suffering more (Couilles de Taureau, most of my PLs, Danko) and others seemingly unaffected (Brad's Black Heart). They leave tell-tale brown marks where they leech away their day. damage to truss.tV.jpg pre.TV.jpg post.TV.jpg It's not all bad news. It seems the DE treatments have not affected bees. Here's a happy camper for all you bee lovers. sunflower tall 2.TV.bee.jpg for bee lovers.TV.jpg And one final sunflower from this morning. sunflower tall 3.TV.jpg Can you please offer your favorite way to eliminate my unwanted guests? Much appreciated! Waiting for sundown to Neem 'em.

August 4, 2015	#9
kurt Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Homestead,Everglades City Fl. Posts: 2,491	When I need some natural interference I go to this outfit.Good info for other pests. http://www.arbico-organics.com/categ...r-guide-aphids __________________ KURT

August 4, 2015	#2
AlittleSalt BANNED FOR LIFE Join Date: May 2014 Posts: 13,333	I use Garden Safe. If that doesn't work, I use Triazicide. I've used Malathion in years past.

August 4, 2015	#3
Barb_FL Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Indialantic, Florida Posts: 2,000	What are they?

August 4, 2015	#4
RayR Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Cheektowaga, NY Posts: 2,466	I don't do anything about aphids, I've learned that if you don't spray insecticides all over the place the braconid wasps will come around and take the aphids out for you. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rLtUk-W5Gpk

August 4, 2015	#5
KarenO Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Vancouver Island Posts: 5,927	Awesome macros KarenO

August 4, 2015	#6
ginger2778 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Plantation, Florida zone 10 Posts: 9,283	They aren't aphids, they are common named tomato bugs. Engytatus Modestus is their taxonomic name. Formerly called Cyrtopeltus Modestus. They are a true bug with a hard body, and Neem wont even touch them, it only kills soft bodied insects. They love to feed on tomato blossoms and then they fall off. The only thing I found that actually killed mine was, unfortunately, Sevin. I have gotten them for 2 years now, they are horrible.

August 4, 2015	#7
BigVanVader Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Greenville, South Carolina Posts: 3,099	Dang hate that for you, being hard bodied DE powder should work? Never had them so can't say for sure but it should.

August 4, 2015	#8
Hunt-Grow-Cook Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Sacramento, CA Posts: 360	HA! The MC Hammer of "pollen pants" on that bee. So cool and great shots!

August 4, 2015	#15
coastal bend Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: south texas Posts: 114	They are bad news. I had them 4 years ago. I had already set a big crop of tomatoes so I still had a good crop of tomatoes. but everything above what was already set did not make one tomato. they feed on the stem below the terminal and any truss above that is history.I used malathion to kill them. I haven't had a problem since then but I keep a eye out for them. Nobody around here has had a problem with them. They didn't know what they were.