12 Tomato Pests That Will Destroy Your Tomato Plants

Pests can cause significant damage to tomato plants in a number of ways. Some common pests that can harm tomato plants are aphids, tomato hornworms, cutworms, whiteflies, and spider mites. 

Pests and diseases are tough challenges that every gardener faces. For growers, tomatoes are susceptible to a large variety. When it comes to pests, the matter gets worse because they not only attack tomatoes but also spread disease around tomato plants. 

In this article, I will tell you about tomato pests, how they destroy your tomato plants, and their prevention. 

Let’s start. 

12 Tomato Pests That Are Dangerous Your Tomato Plants

It is important to practice good garden hygiene, such as removing weeds and debris, rotating crops, and monitoring plants for signs of pests. You can also use physical barriers, such as row covers, and natural or chemical pesticides to control pest populations. 

It is important to follow the instructions on any pesticide product carefully and use them only as directed, as they can be harmful to humans and the environment if used improperly.

There are 12 tomato pests listed below that will destroy your tomato plants. 

1. Aphids

Aphids are tiny, soft-bodied insects that can cause significant damage to tomato plants. They can transmit viruses to tomato plants, such as the tomato yellow leaf curl virus and the cucumber mosaic virus, which can cause significant damage to the plant.

They feed on the sap of tomato plants by piercing the leaves and stems with their sharp mouthparts. The honeydew that aphids excrete while feeding can attract other pests, such as ants and wasps, which can further harm the tomato plant. 

Aphids can lower the yield of tomato plants by making the leaves fall off early and stopping the fruit from growing.

Prevention 

To prevent aphid damage to your tomato plants, it is important to monitor your plants regularly for signs of infestation, such as yellowing leaves and the presence of the insects. You can also use natural predators such as ladybugs and lacewings to control aphid populations or use organic or chemical pesticides to control the infestation. 

2. Cutworms

Cutworms are destructive pests that can cause severe damage to tomato plants. The larvae of several kinds of moths, like the variegated cutworm and the black cutworm, live in these caterpillars. They are called “cutworms” because they often cut through the stems of young tomato plants, causing them to wilt and die.

Cutworms feed at night and hide during the day, making them difficult to spot. They are particularly fond of young tomato plants and can quickly destroy a crop. 

Here are a few ways cutworms can harm your tomato plants:

• Cutworms will often cut through the stems of young tomato plants at ground level.
• Cutworms may also feed on the roots of tomato plants, which can weaken the plant. 
• Cutworms may also feed on the leaves of tomato plants and reduce the plant’s ability to photosynthesize.

Prevention 

To protect your tomato plants from cutworm damage, it’s important to take a few preventative measures. Place a collar made from cardboard or plastic around the base of each plant, which will prevent cutworms from reaching the stem. 

3. Blister Beetles

Blister beetles are a type of beetle that can cause damage to tomato plants. Blister beetles can destroy tomato plants by feeding on the foliage, flowers, and fruits of the plant. 

They have a voracious appetite and can quickly defoliate an entire plant, which can ultimately lead to the death of the plant. They are rich in nutrients and are a good source of food. They are also attracted to the flowers of the tomato plant because they contain nectar, which is a source of energy for the beetle. 

Prevention 

To prevent blister beetle damage to your tomato plants, it is important to identify the signs of infestation early. 

The beetles are generally black or gray in color and can be identified by their elongated bodies and narrow waists. They have a characteristic habit of “playing dead,” which involves secreting a toxic substance that causes blisters on human skin.

To control blister beetles, remove the beetles from the plants by hand-picking them and placing them in soapy water. Another option is to use insecticidal soap. It is also important to maintain healthy plants by providing adequate water and nutrients to prevent stress.

Read More:

• 11 Beneficial Bugs That Help Tomato Plants Grow Safe from Pests
• What is Tomato Zippering? Reasons and Solutions to Tomato Zippering

4. Hornworms 

Hornworms are large, green caterpillars that are commonly found on tomato plants. These pests can cause significant damage to tomato plants, often defoliating them completely.

How do hornworms damage tomato plants?

Hornworms feed voraciously on tomato leaves, stems, and fruits, often consuming entire leaves or fruits in a single sitting. They continue to feed on the tomato plant; they can quickly defoliate it, stripping it of its leaves and reducing its ability to photosynthesize and produce fruit.

In addition to consuming tomato leaves, hornworms also feed on the fruits themselves, leaving unsightly holes and scars on the fruit’s surface.

Why are hornworms attracted to tomato plants?

Hornworms are attracted to tomato plants because they are a preferred host plant for their development and reproduction. They are attracted to the green color of tomato leaves, which provide them with a source of food and shelter.

Tomato plants release chemicals that attract hornworms to them, making it easier for the pests to find and infest the plants.

Prevention

Use companion plants like basil, marigolds, and dill for the protection of tomato plants from hornworms. Apply insecticidal soap and natural pesticides for this. Remove hornworms by hand and use specific tools.

5. Flea Beetles

Flea beetles are small, jumping beetles that can cause significant damage to tomato plants. These pests feed on the foliage of tomato plants, leaving behind characteristic tiny holes in the leaves. 

How do flea beetles damage tomato plants?

Flea beetles feed on the leaves of tomato plants, creating small holes that can eventually coalesce into larger areas of damage. They continue to feed on the tomato plant, causing defoliation, which reduces the plant’s ability to photosynthesize and produce fruit. They transmit plant diseases, such as bacterial wilt, to tomato plants. 

Why are flea beetles attracted to tomato plants?

Flea beetles are attracted to the bright green color of tomato leaves, which makes it easier for them to locate and feed on the plants. As tomato plants release volatile chemicals that attract flea beetles to them, it becomes easier for the pests to find and infest the plants.

Flea beetles have a preference for plants in the nightshade family, which includes tomato plants. They can cause significant damage to tomato plants.

Prevention 

To protect your tomato plants from flea beetle damage, it’s important to monitor for signs of infestation and use appropriate control measures, such as insecticidal sprays or physical barriers.

6. Slugs And Snails

Slugs and snails are common garden pests that can cause significant damage to tomato plants.

How do slugs and snails damage tomato plants?

Slugs and snails are both mollusks that feed on the leaves, stems, and fruits of tomato plants. They use their mouthparts to chew through the plant tissue, leaving behind holes and ragged edges. The damage these pests cause can weaken the plant, stunt its growth, and make it more susceptible to other pests and diseases.

Why do slugs and snails target tomato plants?

Slugs and snails are attracted to the moist, cool environment around tomato plants. They are especially active during periods of high humidity or after rainfall. They are also attracted to the scent of ripe tomatoes.

Prevention 

• Keep the area around your tomato plants free of debris and hiding places where slugs and snails can hide during the day.
• Water your tomato plants early in the morning.
• Use copper tape or other barriers around the base of the plant.
• Apply a layer of diatomaceous earth around the base of the plant.
• Use natural predators like ducks, chickens, or toads.
• If you do find slugs or snails on your tomato plants, you can remove them by hand or use an organic slug and snail bait. 

7. Spider Mites  

Spider mites are tiny arachnids that feed on the sap of tomato plants, which can cause severe damage. They are called spider mites because they produce webs, which can cover the leaves, stems, and flowers of tomato plants.

They thrive in hot, dry conditions, so they are often a problem in greenhouses or during hot, dry summers. They reproduce quickly and can quickly infest a plant.

When spider mites feed on tomato plants, they suck out the sap, which can cause the leaves to turn yellow or brown and become dry and brittle. The leaves may also have a stippled appearance with tiny white or yellow dots. 

Prevention 

It is important to keep the plants healthy and well-watered, especially during hot, dry weather. Regularly inspect your plants for signs of infestation, and if you see any, take action immediately. You can spray the plants with a strong stream of water or use an insecticidal soap or oil to control this. Heavy infestations can lead to defoliation.

8. Leafhoppers

Leafhoppers are small, fast-moving insects that can cause damage to tomato plants by feeding on the leaves and stems. They are particularly active during the warm summer months and can reproduce rapidly.

Leafhoppers feed by piercing the plant tissue with their sharp mouthparts. This can cause the leaves to turn yellow and become distorted, and it can also affect the plant’s growth.

Leafhoppers can also spread viruses, such as the tomato yellow leaf curl virus. The plant may become even more vulnerable to these diseases, and their feedings may damage the root system.

Prevention 

Monitor them regularly for signs of infestation. Look for yellowing or distorted leaves, and check the undersides of the leaves for the insects themselves. You can also use insecticidal soaps or other natural insecticides to control them. 

Related Reading:

• All You Need To Know About Tomatoes.
• How Big Of A Pot For Tomatoes? Ideal Container Size For Tomato Plants

9. Colorado Potato Beetles

Colorado potato beetles are a common pest that can cause significant damage to tomato plants. These beetles are known for their voracious appetite and can quickly defoliate tomato plants.

Colorado potato beetles feed on the leaves of tomato plants, which can cause significant damage to the plant. They can eat through the leaves, leaving only the veins behind. They also defoliate tomato plants by eating all the leaves.

They also spread diseases like bacterial wilt and early blight to tomato plants, which can make the plant weaker and less able to make fruit. They are prolific breeders and can quickly multiply; they also have developed resistance to many of the insecticides. 

Prevention 

Colorado potato beetles can cause significant damage to tomato plants, leading to reduced yields and even plant death.

10. Root Knot Nematodes

Root knot nematodes are roundworms that can cause significant damage to plant roots, including tomato plants. They infect plant roots and create swelling that can inhibit the plant’s ability to absorb water and nutrients from the soil.

However, root knot nematodes are not the only organisms that can damage tomato plant roots. Other organisms, including fungal pathogens and certain insects, can also cause damage to the roots.

In the case of root damage caused by non-nematode organisms, the symptoms and effects can vary. Fungal pathogens can cause wilting, discoloration, and decay of roots, while insects like grubs or cutworms can chew on the roots and cause stunted growth or death of the plant.

Prevention 

To prevent root damage to tomato plants, it’s essential to plant in well-draining soil, rotate crops, and avoid overwatering.

11. Whiteflies 

Whiteflies are tiny insects that are common garden pests that can infest a wide variety of plants, including tomato plants. They feed on the sap of the plants and can cause significant damage to them. 

Here are some ways in which whiteflies can destroy your tomato plants;

• Whiteflies can cause stunted growth and reduced yield in tomato plants. This is because they feed on the sap of the plant. 

• Whiteflies can transmit viruses that can infect your tomato plants, such as tomato yellow leaf curl virus.

• They excrete a sticky substance called honeydew, which can attract sooty mold. 

• Whiteflies can weaken tomato plants by snapping their energy and reducing their ability to defend against other pests and diseases.

Prevention 

To prevent whiteflies, you can take several measures. These include using insecticidal soap or neem oil to control the infestation, regularly removing weeds and other plants that can attract whiteflies, and using yellow sticky traps to trap and monitor whiteflies. 

12. Stink Bugs

Stink bugs can be destructive pests for tomato plants. They use their piercing mouthparts to suck the sap out of the fruit and leaves, causing damage that can lead to decreased yield and even plant death.

They are attracted to the strong scent of the plants and the ripe fruit of the plant, which provides a source of food for them.

Stink bugs can cause damage to tomato plants at any stage of growth, but they are particularly damaging to young plants and developing fruit. Stink bugs can cause severe damage that results in fruit distortion, yellowing, and even rotting.

Prevention 

If stink bugs are left unchecked, they can quickly multiply and cause significant damage to your tomato plants. Therefore, it is important to take steps to prevent and control stink bug infestations. One way is to use physical barriers, such as row covers or mesh netting, to keep stink bugs away from your plants. Another option is to use insecticides specifically formulated to target stink bugs.

Early detection is also important in controlling stink bug infestations. By keeping a close eye on tomato plants and taking action you can help prevent stink bugs from destroying your crop.

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Final Thoughts

Tomato plants are vulnerable to a variety of pests that can cause significant damage to the plants and their fruits. These pests are small and soft-bodied, and they feed on the sap of the tomato plant, causing stunted growth and distortion of leaves. 

These tiny, moth-like insects suck sap from the plant and can transmit diseases. Spider mites are tiny insects that suck sap from the plant, causing leaves to yellow and fall off.

To protect your tomato plants from pests, provide adequate water, fertilization, and pruning. Additionally, you can use natural pest control methods, such as companion planting, insecticidal soaps, and organic pesticides, to keep pests at bay. 

 Thanks for reading!