Anyone seen pests like this?

[MichaelT]

I found these on the back of a leaf this morning. I pulled that leaf and torched them.

 

[FmGrowit]

Leaf roller or a Silver spotted skipper (whatever in the hell that is). Could be some kind of weird virus.

 

[deluxestogie]

Welcome to the forum. Feel free to introduce yourself in the Introduce Yourself forum.

My guess is that it is a clump of sawfly larvae that have just emerged from that messy cocoon. Similar to cabbage caterpillars. I'm not aware that they are an intentional pest of tobacco.

Bob

EDIT: Here is something quite similar, but feeds on pine.

Green Caterpillar w/ Black Head Eating Pine Tree - Neodiprion

An online resource devoted to North American insects, spiders and their kin, offering identification, images, and information.

bugguide.net

 

[MichaelT]

Welcome to the forum. Feel free to introduce yourself in the Introduce Yourself forum.

My guess is that it is a clump of sawfly larvae that have just emerged from that messy cocoon. Similar to cabbage caterpillars. I'm not aware that they are an intentional pest of tobacco.

Bob

EDIT: Here is something quite similar, but feeds on pine.

Green Caterpillar w/ Black Head Eating Pine Tree - Neodiprion

An online resource devoted to North American insects, spiders and their kin, offering identification, images, and information.

bugguide.net

Thanks for the help Bob. Much appreciated. I'm down in Phoenix, AZ and have never seen a sawfly before. These seem to be much smaller than the sawfly larvae as well. I have a TON of moths where I'm growing my tobacco which I worry is wreaking havoc with all my plants. My lettuce has been devoured and my broccoli is getting there as well. Neem oil isn't helping at all.

 

[deluxestogie]

Any spray containing BT (Bacillus thuringiensis) will kill any caterpillars that eat the leaf surface. One spraying over all your tobacco will be effective for about a week or two. It also needs to be reapplied after it rains. Most BT preparations are US rated as "organic", and can also be used on leafy vegetables.

Bob