Tomato plants attract a variety of pests, from tiny aphids to hungry caterpillars. Aphids suck sap from leaves, often clustering in groups, and leave a sticky residue behind. Spider mites are so small they look like moving dots and cause tiny yellow spots on leaves.

Whiteflies flap around tomato plants and can weaken them by feeding on the sap. Tomato hornworms are huge green caterpillars that can strip a plant of leaves quickly. Look for holes in leaves or fruit—that's often a sign of caterpillar or beetle damage.

Thrips are tiny pests that cause silvery streaks on tomato leaves and spread viruses. Cutworms hide in the soil and chew young stems at night, causing seedlings to topple. You might see leafminers creating winding tunnels inside the leaves as they feed.

Flea beetles are small and jump like fleas, leaving tiny holes that look like shotgun pellets. Tomato russet mites are almost invisible but cause bronzing and curling of leaves. A healthy tomato plant can sometimes outgrow minor pest damage without losing fruit.

Look for sticky honeydew on leaves—that’s a sign of sap-sucking pests like aphids or whiteflies. Ladybugs are the good guys, eating aphids and helping keep pests in check. If you take Pictures of Tomato Plant Pests, capturing both the insect and damage helps ID the problem.

Some pests hide under leaves during the day and come out at night to munch on tomatoes. Earwigs can nibble on fruit, leaving small ragged holes but are mostly harmless. Pests often lay eggs on the underside of leaves, so check there carefully.

Aphids can reproduce quickly, so catching them early is key to stopping infestations. Companion planting marigolds nearby can help repel some common tomato pests. You might notice ants farming aphids for their sugary secretions—nature’s strange partnerships.

Thrips can spread tomato spotted wilt virus, which can stunt plant growth and reduce yields. Cabbage loopers are caterpillars that sometimes feast on tomato leaves too. You can use insecticidal soaps to gently remove soft-bodied pests without chemicals.

Beet armyworms chew leaves and fruit, often leaving large ragged patches. Some pests create webbing on plants, which is a sign of spider mites or caterpillar nests. Crop rotation helps reduce pest populations by disrupting their life cycles.

Leafhoppers suck sap and can transmit diseases that cause leaf yellowing and curling. Predatory insects like lacewings and parasitic wasps can naturally control pest numbers. If you spot holes surrounded by yellowing tissue, it might be stink bug damage.

Cutworms often attack young seedlings by chewing through stems at soil level. Pests prefer stressed plants, so keeping tomatoes well-watered and fed helps resist attacks. Removing garden debris reduces places where pests can hide and breed.

Whiteflies can multiply so fast they cloud the air when you disturb the plant. Sometimes pest damage looks like disease, so accurate ID with Pictures of Tomato Plant Pests is helpful. Neem oil is a natural way to manage many pests without harming beneficial insects.

Spider mite infestations often start during hot, dry weather, so misting leaves can help. Tomato fruitworms bore into fruit, causing rotten spots and making tomatoes unusable. Inspect plants regularly to catch pests before they cause serious damage.

Aphids can cause leaves to curl and stunt growth by draining nutrients. Some pests chew only the edges of leaves, leaving a "windowpane" effect. Row covers protect young plants by physically blocking pests from reaching them.

Green peach aphids are a common tomato pest that spreads viruses and weakens plants. Predatory beetles and spiders can help keep pest numbers down naturally. Removing heavily infested leaves early can prevent pests from spreading.

Flea beetles prefer young seedlings and can stunt or kill them by feeding heavily. Pests often hide in dense foliage, so thinning plants improves airflow and reduces bugs. If you use sticky traps, bright yellow ones attract many flying pests effectively.

Tomato russet mites can cause leaves to turn brown and fall off, weakening the plant. Some caterpillars mimic twigs or leaves to avoid detection, so look closely. Handpicking large pests like hornworms is an effective non-chemical control method.

Ants farming aphids protect them from predators and spread them to new plants. Pests often multiply faster during warm, dry spells, so adjust watering accordingly. Introducing beneficial insects early can prevent pest outbreaks later.

Slugs and snails also snack on tomato leaves, especially at night or in damp gardens. Birds sometimes help by eating pests but can also peck fruit, so balance is key. Taking detailed Pictures of Tomato Plant Pests aids in tracking and managing infestations.

Some pests develop resistance to pesticides, so rotating control methods works best. Healthy soil encourages strong plants better able to withstand pest attacks. Recognizing early signs of pests makes all the difference in protecting your tomato crop.