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Hornworms

Discussion in 'General Discussion' started by Jarrell, Aug 25, 2005.

  1. Jarrell

    Jarrell

    1,691
    Feb 13, 2005
    Macon, Ga.
    I found and photographed these two on my tomato plants today. I also found this explanation on the web...

    Tomato Hornworm - are 3-4" long green caterpillars with diagonal lines on sides, prominent horn on rear end. Eat foliage and may take bites out of green fruit. Tomato hornworms are the larvae of 2 large moths: the Hawkmoth and the Sphinx moth and overwinter in the soil in the pupal stage. Adult moths appear in late spring and lay single,
    pearl colored eggs on the undersides of plant leaves that hatch in about a week. Larvae feed on foliage for about a month before they enter the soil and pupate. They can be difficult to spot as coloring matches plant. Look for them on the undersides of leaf-stripped branches. They can easily be hand-picked and destroyed or if infestation is severe, use Bt (Bacillius thuringiensis) dust.
    48221101.jpg
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    Braconid wasps will kill these caterpillars by implanting rice-like eggs on their backs and Trichogramma wasps parasitize the eggs.
    48221105.jpg
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    Both images with D100. Top photo with Tamron 28-75mm, bottom with Nikon 50mm and a plus 2 el cheapo closeup filter. Both at f/22.
    Jarrell
     
    Jarrell, Aug 25, 2005
    #1
  2. greyflash

    greyflash Subscribing Member

    33,086
    Jan 29, 2005
    St. George, Utah
    They are both excellent Jarrell. The lighting is really good.
     
    greyflash, Aug 25, 2005
    #2
  3. Flew

    Flew

    994
    Jan 25, 2005
    Alabama
    I agree with Gordon Jarrell. Just goes to show one more time that it doesn't take a $3,000 camera and a $1,000 lens to get great shots. :wink:
     
    Flew, Aug 25, 2005
    #3
  4. Leigh

    Leigh

    8,677
    Feb 19, 2005
    Alabama
    I saw one of those in my garden yesterday...wasn't exactly sure what it was, but my 3 year old son was fascinated by "all the eyes"! I'll have to go back out tomorrow and see if it's still hanging around out there...Thanks for the biology lesson Jarrell!
     
    Leigh, Aug 25, 2005
    #4
  5. Jarrell

    Jarrell

    1,691
    Feb 13, 2005
    Macon, Ga.
    Thanks all..

    Leigh, I just wonder how the Tomato Hornworm manages to find my tomato plants 'cause I only have two of them. I thought I had them hidden.. :) 
    Jarrell
     
    Jarrell, Aug 26, 2005
    #5
  6. Chris101

    Chris101

    34,612
    Feb 2, 2005
    Arizona
    Wow Jarrell!! Those are fantastic - they look like they are from a biology book.
     
    Chris101, Aug 26, 2005
    #6
  7. PhotoByMark

    PhotoByMark

    3,181
    May 25, 2005
    Kendalia, TX
    Cute little dude.

    Nice crisp pics.
     
    PhotoByMark, Aug 26, 2005
    #7
  8. gho

    gho

    2,556
    Feb 7, 2005
    California
    Yikes.... Those are bugs! Nice looking portraits, but I'm just a bit skittish about bugs. Sorry.
     
    gho, Aug 26, 2005
    #8
  9. tojor

    tojor

    5,279
    Jul 27, 2005
    Denmark
    I think those shots are great. And in their own way the caterpillars are quite beautiful too.
     
    tojor, Aug 26, 2005
    #9
  10. Kevin Scott

    Kevin Scott

    5,985
    May 5, 2005
    Orlando, Florida
    Great shots, Jarrell! I was always intrigued by these things. I would only see them when I planted tomato plants in the back yard. The years I didn't they wouldn't appear, only when I did a garden. Very weird!
     
    Kevin Scott, Aug 26, 2005
    #10
  11. Jarrell

    Jarrell

    1,691
    Feb 13, 2005
    Macon, Ga.
    Colorful though, aren't they

    Kevin, the only time I've found them is when I plant a couple of tomato plants also. What I'd like to photograph is the small wasp in the act of doing this. Probably never happen.
    Thanks all for your input.
    Jarrell
     
    Jarrell, Aug 26, 2005
    #11
  12. Jarrell

    Jarrell

    1,691
    Feb 13, 2005
    Macon, Ga.
    I have sat and watched

    wasps before, not the smaller variety that preys on these catapillars, the larger red ones. One day I noticed the wasp very slowly cruzing the branches of a hedge and when he found what he was looking for, a small catapillar, he quickly stung it then grasped it in his legs and flew off with it. You'd have to be fast to get a shot of that.. :) 
    Jarrell
     
    Jarrell, Aug 26, 2005
    #12
  13. Ron H

    Ron H

    300
    Jul 5, 2005
    Phoenix
    Great biology lesson, in addition to the photos. I wonder what Hannah would think of them? :Wink:
     
    Ron H, Aug 26, 2005
    #13
  14. Simon

    Simon

    315
    Apr 30, 2005
    Sydney, Australia
    Very classy shots there - what a beautiful looking creature.
     
    Simon, Aug 26, 2005
    #14
  15. Gale

    Gale

    978
    Jan 26, 2005
    Viera Fl
    Jarrell

    That is a beautful creature, without the decoration :>)).. Amazing markings. Also amazing how nature counter acts the distructive caterpillar. Ants and wasps, as I have found out do distroy alot of plant bugs, like aphids.

    Great lesson.

    Thank you.

    Really good images.
     
    Gale, Aug 26, 2005
    #15
  16. Russ Smith

    Russ Smith

    197
    May 15, 2005
    Tallahassee, FL, USA
    Nice images.

    Not only did they attack my tomato plants and fruit but they also like my habanero peppers.

    I have noticed the birds don't seem to like them. At least in my area they don't eat them.

    Russ
     
    Russ Smith, Aug 26, 2005
    #16
  17. Steve S

    Steve S

    4,741
    Feb 1, 2005
    SE Florida
    Top notch work, Jarrell

    The colors are so vivid, and the composition very creative. Kudos on the shots, and thanks for the entomology lesson!
     
    Steve S, Aug 28, 2005
    #17
  18. Jarrell

    Jarrell

    1,691
    Feb 13, 2005
    Macon, Ga.
    I'm glad you all liked them..

    and I'm also glad they're such slow moving creatures.. :smile:
    Made the job a lot easier!
    Jarrell
     
    Jarrell, Aug 28, 2005
    #18
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