What's eating my roma tomato?

Roma tomatoes face heavy pest pressure: tomato hornworm is the most destructive, stripping whole branches overnight. Aphids, whitefly, and tomato fruitworm (corn earworm) also attack. Outdoors, deer and birds target ripening fruit. Consistent scouting, physical barriers, and targeted sprays keep plants productive through the season.

Large green caterpillars (up to 4 in) that strip leaves rapidly, leaving bare stems and dark frass droppings. Hand-pick and destroy; apply Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) spray at first sign; leave caterpillars with white parasitic wasp cocoons — they will die naturally.

Clusters of small soft insects on undersides of leaves and growing tips; curled yellow leaves and honeydew residue. Spray with strong water jet or insecticidal soap; introduce ladybirds; use reflective mulch to disorient winged aphids.

Larvae bore into developing fruits, leaving entry holes with frass; damaged fruit rots quickly. Apply spinosad or Bt spray when eggs hatch (tiny yellow eggs on foliage); remove and destroy infected fruits promptly.

Tiny white winged insects on leaf undersides; yellowing leaves, honeydew, sooty mould, and reduced vigour. Use yellow sticky traps to monitor; spray with insecticidal soap or neem oil; introduce Encarsia formosa biological control in greenhouses.