What is eating my babies

[Lisasbolt]

I put them in the polytunnel everyday then when it gets dark at 7ish I bring them in as you can see most look heathy but every time I bring them back in and I look and stare at them I find at least one has been eaten or like someone has cut them off at the bottom. I have never had this problem before.

I know, I know a ridiculous amount of plants and you can't even see half of them. they are to be thinned the next couple of days

Thank you in advance

[Bigmallly]

I don't know what beasties you have in Spain Lisa but the rest of the plants look great. Whatever is eating them is carrying a pair of scissors in their back pocket...............

[Lisasbolt]

I think so

The little buggers seem to really like the special tomato plants, you know those expensive ones! haven't touched good old money maker, roma, alicante or gardeners delight. grrr

[Bigmallly]

They've obviously got good taste. I wondered if you have any beasties with pincers. The cuts are so clean.

[Bigmallly]

Do you have cutworms in Spain? Collars may be a good idea.

Tomato worms - cutworms: keep them away with collars around seedlings

[WendyC]

I would suspect a snail, they do leave stump like that. Try putting down a few pellets and see what you get. Or try trapping in beer or orange skin.

[Bohobumble]

I would suspect a snail, they do leave stump like that. Try putting down a few pellets and see what you get. Or try trapping in beer or orange skin.

I thought slug/snail too. They climb quite a distance to munch on what they fancy, then hide somewhere nearby during the drier times of the day. Check underneath the tray and the nooks and crannies of where you're placing them overnight.

[Lisasbolt]

thanks guys, there are a few snails about this time of year so i bet that the culprit

[starloc]

I have had my chillies go like that a few times, it was field mice

[Aberdeenplotter]

hold tray above head level and look underneath. You may well see a slug/snail or two

[Tripmeup]

hold tray above head level and look underneath. You may well see a slug/snail or two

Just watch it doesn't drop onto your head or into your eye