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Tomato
> Year-Round IPM Program > Bloom > Natural
Enemies of Fruitworms
Tomato
Identifying Natural Enemies of Fruitworms
On this page
- Bigeyed bug
- Hyposoter exiguae wasp
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- Minute pirate bugs
- Trichogramma sp.
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Natural enemies are very important
in the biological control of tomato fruitworm. These include
predators such as minute pirate bugs, bigeyed bugs, and the parasitic
wasps Trichogramma spp.
and Hyposoter
exiguae. Monitor for the presence of these and
other parasites and predators. Use the photos below to detect
some of these natural enemies of tomato fruitworm. Names link to
more information on identification and biology.
Click on photos to enlarge
Bigeyed bug
Identification tip: Adults and nymphs are oval,
somewhat flattened, about 1/4 of an inch long, with a wide
head and prominent bulging eyes.
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Hyposoter exiguae wasp (adult)
Identification tip: The adult wasp is black
with lighter colored abdomen and legs and 1/4 to 1/2
of an inch long. The adult wasp lays its egg in the
caterpillar. |
Minute pirate
bugs
Identification tip: Adults are small, 1/12 to 1/5 of
an inch long, oval, black or purplish with white markings,
and have a triangular head.
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Trichogramma spp.
Identification tip: Trichogramma spp. parasitize
tomato fruitworm eggs, turning them black.
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