By Umar Nsubuga
Joseph Bukenya, a seasoned tomato farmer in Luwero, knows firsthand the challenges pests pose to tomato crops.
Over the years, he has developed a keen eye for identifying common tomato pests before they cause significant damage.
“Knowing what to look for is half the battle,” Bukenya explains adding that If you can spot the signs early, you can save your crop.
Muhammad Malinga, an agronomist says one of the most common tomato pests are whiteflies.
He says these are small, white-winged insects that you can often find on the undersides of tomato leaves.
“Whiteflies feed on plant sap, leaving behind a sticky residue that can encourage mold growth. If you notice leaves turning yellow and a cloud of tiny white insects when disturbed, you may have a whitefly infestation.
Aphids are tiny green or black bugs that also cluster on the undersides of leaves,” Malinga warns.
Aphids drain the sap from the plant, which causes leaves to curl and distort. If you see sticky residue or ants on your plants (as ants farm aphids for their sugary secretions), it’s a clear sign aphid are present, he explains.
Tomato hornworms, Bukenya says are large, green caterpillars with a distinctive horn-like projection at one end.
Hornworms are notorious for chewing through leaves, stems, and even green tomatoes. Bukenya advises farmers to regularly inspect plants for large holes in the leaves or fruit and to manually remove the caterpillars if spotted.
“Thrips are tiny, slender insects that can be hard to see with the naked eye. You’ll notice their damage more than the pest itself,” Bukenya says.
He says affected leaves might appear silvery or have black specks of their excrement. Thrips can also cause flowers to drop prematurely, reducing fruit yield.
“If you notice that young tomato plants have been cut down at the base, you likely have a cutworm problem,” Bukenya explains adding that these pests hide in the soil during the day and come out at night to feed, cutting through stems of young plants.
Bukenya emphasises the importance of regular inspection and early intervention.
“If you know what to look for, you can catch them before they cause too much damage,” he advises.
Bukenya says regular scouting and maintaining a clean garden can go a long way in keeping tomato pests under control.
