Tomato mystery

[rana]

About a week ago I noticed a 6" tomato plant amongst row of four lying on the ground. The stem had been munched through at the base. The similar replacement plant met the same fate. After the 3rd plant succumed assuming a slug with a sense of humour was to blame I ringed the next replacement plant with slug pellets. This morning I found exactly the same thing had happened despite the chemical defence.

What I find odd is that no other plants have been touched so is there a pest out there having a laugh.

[allotmentlady]

May be mice or woodlouse....

[seasprout]

Have you had a good look at the broken surface, is it actually chewed with teeth marks..?? I'm thinking squirrel or rat.

I'm thinking the plants are planted in the animals usual route across your planted area and it was just clearing the way.

[rana]

Mystery solved:

I decided to have a good dig around in the soil where the vandalism was occuring. About an inch or so down I found a fat grub (sort of caterpillar thing) lying in the soil
(saying "where's my dinner?").

I hope he's got no mates there cos I've re-planted again.