Tomato sucking bug

by Marie
(Texas Gulf Coast)

Large bug biting tomatoes

These are the bugs that are ruining my ripe tomatoes...bites and sucks them dry! What should I use on them?

Comments for Tomato sucking bug

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Aug 17, 2019
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Tomato sucking bug NEW
by: Ron

The same thing here in South Carolina. They don't start until late in the season. Will Sevin dust work on these?

May 31, 2019
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Sucking bugs NEW
by: Anonymous

How to get rid of these pesky sucking bugs eating the juices of my tomatoes then my tomatoes dies

Feb 20, 2018
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Leaf Legged Bug NEW
by: Lady Gardener

These bugs are in Central Texas as well. Had big infestation last year.

Jun 22, 2012
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Thanks for the info
by: Clark

Appreciate your letting us know about this bug. If they're sucking the tomatoes dry, I'm sure glad they don't live in the Pacific Northwest!

Jun 21, 2012
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Found the little bastards!!
by: Anonymous

According to Bugguide.com they are the Leptoglossus phyllopus or 'Eastern Leaf footed Bug'. They have a long needle like mouth part that pierces tomatoes and sucks out the juice. (Oh no you didn't!!)

Treatment: Insecticides such as permethrin (such as Spectracide’s Bug Stop Multi-purpose Insect Killer or Bonide’s Total Pest Control Concentrate Outdoor Formula) or cyfluthrin (such as Bayer’s Advanced Garden Lawn & Garden Multi-Insect Killer) or esfenvalerate (such as Ortho’s Bug-B-Gon Multi-purpose Insect Killer Concentrate or Bonide’s Bug Beater Concentrate) are effective in controlling leaf footed bugs as well as stink bugs, aphids, fruitworms and hornworms. Do not use permethrin on varieties with fruit less than one inch diameter. Be sure to observe the days-to-harvest period indicated on the pesticide label. Be certain to wash the fruit before using.

It is important to observe your garden on a daily basis. Should you spot leaf-footed bugs, you might handpick the bugs, especially early in the season and when the very young nymphs are tightly clustered. You should use gloves because of the odor they will emit when handled and you should drop them into a can of soapy water.

Die you little bastards!!!

Jun 21, 2012
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Same bug :-O
by: Anonymous

I live on the Florida gulf coast and I have had that same bug showing up on my green San Marzano tomatoes for the past week! I have found several and killed them in the most horrible fashion I can think of (as an example to its friends of course) yet they keep coming back. Unfortunately I don't know what it is either or I would no doubt concoct a biological weapon that would wipe out its entire species.

They should know better than to mess with my tomato babies. They saw what happened to the aphids!!

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