White Bugs on a Tomato Plant

Both indoor and outdoor tomato crops are subject to pest attacks. Identifying and treating problems immediately will not only help save the tomato crop but could also prevent infestation of susceptible neighboring crops.

Stalk Borer

• The adult moth is a reddish-brown color; the eggs and mature larvae are white. It is the larvae that cause the damage by boring into the stalk and gradually working their way up the plant, severing leaves as they tunnel. Some bugs may even climb the plant and enter from the top. Once stalk borers have entered the plant they are uncontrollable. Keeping a weed-free environment near crops can prevent stalk borer infestation.

Whitefly

• These can create a problem by encouraging disease in the form of a sooty mold. Whiteflies themselves are not that damaging to plants unless a heavy infestation has occurred. They live on the underside of leaves and tend to swarm up into a white cloud if the plant is disturbed. Whiteflies can be removed by spraying plants with an insecticidal soap.

Psyllid

• The psyllid can damage both potato and tomato plants by secreting toxic saliva into the plant while feeding. Eventually the adult becomes a greener color and can often look like part of the leaf. It is the eggs that appear white with newly hatched bugs appearing a light yellow before darkening to green. Psyllid resistant tomato varieties are available.