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Hornworms: signs and treatment in Jamaica
Massive green caterpillars that can defoliate a plant overnight. PlantArmor's crop guides list hornworms as a common problem on tomato.
Signs to look for
- Rapid, severe defoliation
- Large, barrel-shaped dark green/black droppings
- Missing fruit and chewed stems
What to do
Crops it affects
Questions growers ask
How do I recognise hornworms?
Massive green caterpillars that can defoliate a plant overnight. The signs to look for: Rapid, severe defoliation. Large, barrel-shaped dark green/black droppings. Missing fruit and chewed stems.
What should I do about hornworms?
Handpick at night using a UV flashlight. Apply Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis) or Spinosad for young larvae. Always read the product label and observe the registered rate, re-entry period and pre-harvest interval before you apply any pesticide.
Which crops are affected by hornworms in Jamaica?
PlantArmor's crop guides list hornworms as a common problem on tomato.
Check it in the field
PlantArmor's reference library works offline, so you can compare what you are seeing against it standing in the plot, then log the spray you use along with its re-entry and pre-harvest intervals. Free to use.
This description and treatment come from the same reference library the PlantArmor app uses in the field. Pesticide registrations and permitted uses change — always read the current product label and observe the stated rate, re-entry period and pre-harvest interval.