So whats eating my tomatoes ??

[newbieveggie]

Hi there

I have pottering around in my polytunnel and I have squashed over 30 caterpillars. There seems to be three different types of caterpillar. One small bright green, one fat brown and one much bigger green with a paler green underbody. Any idea what sort of moth/butterflies these are from and how can I avoid them in the future ?
They have nibbled loads of my lovely tomatoes

[arpoet]

Hiya.. im no expert but have been reading up about companion planting and it seems the tomatoes grow well with: basil, oregano, parsley, carrots, marigold, Alliums, celery, Geraniums, Petunias, Nasturtium, Borage. Several of the old guys down the lotties plant marigolds in the same tub as a tom plant to detere such bugs.
I had big green slug nibbling the skins as they ripen, but i got the little blighter with a sharp pin when i came back after a few days break.. 'They dont like it up em'
Roger

[taff]

I've got quite a lot of cabbage white caterpillars on my toms, one of the downsides of netting the cabbages
there were a few peacock butterflies laying eggs in there too.

[rustylady]

I don't suppose it matters what kind they are, they are still eating your crops. You can't really avoid them unless you keep the polytunnel closed all the time or fit fine mesh over the openings (which probably won't keep all of them out), just keep an eye open and squish any eggs you find.

[SarzWix]

I'll echo RL - tis difficult to keep them out withoput keeping pollinators out too. Possibly some netting stapled along the top of the doors so that you can still get in?

Bit of a bummer if cabbage whites are adapting to munch on other crops