Although it looks harmless, the tomato moth is a real crop killer. No wonder that its presence keeps gardeners awake at night who want to enjoy the bountiful harvest. Interestingly, it appeared in Europe only in 2006, from where it later spread to Asia and Africa. Previously, it was only available in South America. It feeds on many plants, but its favorites include tomatoes, less often peppers, potatoes or eggplant. How to get rid of it?
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What does a tomato slash look like? Its caterpillar will effectively destroy the crops
The tomato moth, called tuta absolute, is a small butterfly. It has characteristic narrow and jagged wings with black, brown or gray spots and long, narrow antennae. Although it lives relatively short, the female can lay over 100 eggs at a time. However, the greatest threat to plants is when it is a caterpillar. It then reaches only 1 mm in length and is difficult to see due to its green and white color. It feeds in the middle part and then descends, eating stems, leaves and biting into fruits.
How to protect the garden from the slant? First of all, remedial actions
Mite caterpillars love warmth, which is why they prefer to feed in greenhouses, where they have plenty of food. Before they even appear, the crops should be properly taken care of, which will minimize the risk of their invasion. After harvest, always collect leftovers and leave nothing, and buy seedlings only from a reliable source. Remove all nightshade weeds and try not to plant vegetables of the same family next to each other (i.e. tomatoes, peppers, potatoes, eggplant, goji berries).
How to get rid of the slash? Prepare home spray
Although you will not find a special remedy against slants in stores, it does not mean that you are defenseless against them. Effective are e.g. pheromone traps that will disrupt the mating process, or insecticidal lamps turned on at night. In home cultivation, it is also worth using preparations intended to combat caterpillars, e.g. garlic decoction. 100 g of peeled and slightly crushed cloves pour 5 liters and leave for 24 hours in a dark and cool place. After this time, strain and spray the resulting liquid on the plants.
Source: Gazeta
Bruce is a talented author and journalist with a passion for entertainment . He currently works as a writer at the 247 News Agency, where he has established himself as a respected voice in the industry.
