Anyone know what kind of critter this is? And...

[R2elk]

Those nasty worms eat my entire tomato crop (24 plants) in 2 days this year.. Get rid of them one way or another. Feed to the birds or kill them. And be sure to check your plants over for the next several days because they blend very good with the stalk of the plant and you can easily miss them.
Good luck!

I used praying mantis to completely rid my garden of tomato horn worms. The first year using this method also eliminated all other bugs in the garden including the ladybugs.

 

[andreanar]

I used praying mantis to completely rid my garden of tomato horn worms. The first year using this method also eliminated all other bugs in the garden including the ladybugs.

Where did you get the Mantis'? I rarely see them any more. As a kid, I used to find them all the time.

 

[R2elk]

Where did you get the Mantis'? I rarely see them any more. As a kid, I used to find them all the time.

The egg cases are available from various online garden catalogs. I buy mine from Planet Natural and have been very satisfied with them. They are only shipped in the spring.

 

[lazy gardener]

You can enjoy from the 2 together!
Get some Casu Marzu!
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Casu_marzu
View attachment 1153214

Um, Benny... how many times have you enjoyed this delicacy? Yeah... I didn't think so!

 

[Akrnaf2]

Um, Benny... how many times have you enjoyed this delicacy? Yeah... I didn't think so!

NEVER!
but I can offer it!

 

[lazy gardener]

You got it in Israel???? That has got to be the most, absolutely, most disgusting, revolting thing that human kind can come up with to eat. Even worse than Balut.

 

[Ronbart]

You can use a blacklight to find the caterpillars after dark. They glow green.

 

[CapricornFarm]

Where did you get the Mantis'? I rarely see them any more. As a kid, I used to find them all the time.

We have seen them here, the Mantis that is.

 

[Dawnclucks22]

Yes, tomato hornworm. Biggest thing I've ever seen. I got more scared than I'd like to admit when it headed full speed toward me, lol - I'd have given it to the girls if it wasn't at night! *shudder*

 

[Talithahorse]

You can use a blacklight to find the caterpillars after dark. They glow green.

Really?????? My kids at school will love that. Gotta go get a black light and then find some of those critters. Middle Schoolers dig that kinda thing.