Pest identification
What's eating my aunt ruby's german green tomato?
Tomato hornworm (Manduca quinquemaculata)
Signs: Severe defoliation; stems stripped bare; large caterpillars camouflaged green against foliage
Control: Inspect plants thoroughly at dusk; hand-pick or apply Bt; UV torch reveals frass at night
Slugs and snails
Signs: Ragged holes in fruit at or near soil level; damage easily missed because ripe fruit is green
Control: Stake fruit off the ground; iron phosphate slug pellets; hand-pick at night
Spider mites
Signs: Fine stippling and bronzing of leaves; fine webbing under leaves in hot dry weather
Control: Increase humidity; strong water spray on leaf undersides; neem oil or insecticidal soap
Keep aunt ruby's german green tomato pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
- What eats tomato — the species this cultivar belongs to
- What's wrong with my plant? — the diagnosis apps compared
- Common aunt ruby's german green tomato problems & fixes
- Aunt Ruby's German Green Tomato watering schedule
- Aunt Ruby's German Green Tomato light requirements
- Full aunt ruby's german green tomato care guide
Aunt Ruby's German Green Tomato pests — FAQ
What is eating my aunt ruby's german green tomato?
Aunt Ruby's German Green is a large beefsteak tomato whose green-when-ripe coloring can mask slug and caterpillar damage until it is extensive. Hornworms are the worst threat. Aphids and spider mites thrive in hot, dry spells. Careful fruit inspection is essential since ripeness cues are subtle on this variety.
How do I get rid of tomato hornworm (manduca quinquemaculata) on aunt ruby's german green tomato?
Severe defoliation; stems stripped bare; large caterpillars camouflaged green against foliage Inspect plants thoroughly at dusk; hand-pick or apply Bt; UV torch reveals frass at night
How do I get rid of slugs and snails on aunt ruby's german green tomato?
Ragged holes in fruit at or near soil level; damage easily missed because ripe fruit is green Stake fruit off the ground; iron phosphate slug pellets; hand-pick at night
How do I get rid of spider mites on aunt ruby's german green tomato?
Fine stippling and bronzing of leaves; fine webbing under leaves in hot dry weather Increase humidity; strong water spray on leaf undersides; neem oil or insecticidal soap