Count down to Expo!

        The Tomato Fruitworm (Helicoverpa zea) is a voracious caterpillar that can be cream, yellow, green, reddish, or brown colored and is about 1 ½ - 2 inches long.

        It feeds on tobacco, legumes, grains, sorghum, and various fruits and veggies. Evidence of this pest include a black hole at the base of the stem of the fruit, and tunneling inside fruit (may contain frass). Control methods include, Trichogramma pretiosum wasps, Hyposoter exiguae, application of oils(neem oil or insecticidal soap once a week and after rain), treatment of plants with either liquid or powder Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis) in the afternoon or evening, treatment of plants with Spinosad, treatment of plants with insecticide Sevin, dusting with diatomaceous earth, and chemical pesticides such as Cyfluthrin.