✅ SOLVED Wierd caterpillar!

[DiggerDave in Pa.]

This is about finger sized and looks like it is coated with rice. It is on the bottom of one of the stems on my tomato plant. What is it? Thanks! DDinPA.

 

[cw0909]

DiggerDave in Pa. that is a tomato hornworm carrying wasp eggs
had that prob afew yrs ago, no worries the wasp larvee will kill the
caterpillar

The hornworm photo above is what you’ll see if you have adult hornworms running around. The photo on the right is also of a hornworm but this one may not be such a bad sign. In this instance a wasp has laid its own larvae into the worm’s back. Being a host to wasp larvae will not only kill the hornworm carrying the eggs but wasps are natural hornworm predators, so if you let the wasp larvae continue on their cycle you will decrease your need for Bt spray because the wasps will help in your hornworm eradication.
Pests « UC Davis Good Life Garden


hornworm with wasp eggs

 

[DiggerDave in Pa.]

Thanks so much! I was sure someone on here would know what this is. I never saw one like this before. Thanks again! DDinPA.