What's eating my striped roman tomato?

Striped Roman is a paste-type tomato susceptible to the same core pests as most outdoor tomatoes: hornworms can strip foliage fast, aphids weaken plants, and slugs damage low-set fruit. Its dense flesh makes it less attractive to birds than cherry types, but fruit cracking can invite wasps.

Overnight defoliation of entire branches; thick green caterpillars camouflaged against stems, evidenced by large dark droppings. Hand-pick into soapy water; apply Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis) spray; plant dill or fennel nearby to attract parasitic wasps.

Colonies on shoot tips cause leaf curl, slow growth, and honeydew that leads to sooty mould on leaves and fruit. Spray insecticidal soap or neem oil; strong water jet to dislodge; introduce ladybirds; avoid high-nitrogen feeding late in season.

Chewing at the blossom end or sides of low-set fruit; irregular holes and slime trails near the soil. Stake plants to keep fruit off soil; apply iron phosphate bait; copper tape around raised beds; hand-pick at night.