All summer long I've been looking for tomato worms on my tomato plants. It is clearly evident that they have been there -- stalks are stripped bare. Despite looking and looking, I've never found them until this week. Then, there they were! All five of them together. Three of them carrying the next generation on their back.
But, now I've got them, and unlike last year, there is going to be no lenience in getting rid of them. The biggest one was at least the size of one of my fingers. UGH!
And now for nicer subjects: we went raspberry picking today! A little late in the season -- I only came home with 10 1/2 pounds. But, we also got apples and squash, peaches and tomatoes.
Oh, yes, the best news of all: Emily is home!! We celebrated with a waffle breakfast (gluten-free buckwheat waffles!!!).
Tomorrow is Friday and then Monday begins our two week vacation here at home!!
UPDATE: Candice alerted me to the fact that those are cocoons of a predatory wasp that are attached to those tomato hornworms!! Can you imagine!! Those worms were doomed to death anyway I guess. The wasp larvae are sustained by the hornworm and the worm eventually dies because of it.
7 comments:
I think, and check me on this, that those little white thingies are the eggs of a certain kind of parasitic wasp whose babies will feast on the worms when they hatch. Yummy, huh?
Does someone in your family require a gluten free diet? I was diagnosed with Celiac's disease in May, so I am learning to cook gluten free. Something are more challenging than others. Is the waffle recipe on your other blog? Thanks!
Hi Stephanie: Rachel and I are on a trial gluten-free diet just to see if it helps. My sister, Christina, is gluten-intolerant. Anyway, so far no noticeable difference -- my allergies are a lot worse, but maybe that is the weather.
Will be posting the gluten free waffle recipe on the Cooks Next Door next week. They were terrific!!
Oh the worm info was fascinating. I don't think I've seen them around here. We are just plagued lately with aphids on our tulip tree and they rain sap on us when they eat the leaves ..so annoying.
Enjoy that vacation.
I think I'm going to be sick. Those worms are DISGUSTING!!!! And the wasp things on them are even GROSSER!! (says the squirmish sister in law) :)
The picture is gross and cool all at the same time, mainly gross but the coolness is growing. I'm not sure that I could have picked them off though, you're far braver than me!
Eww on the picture.
I was out camping during your Laura's crisis. I have a Laura Elizabeth of my own, and will be praying for yours to be healed through prayer and surgery.
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