Corn Earworm / Tomato Caterpillar

[digitS']

Corn Earworm / Tomato Caterpillar,
Helicoverpa zea

Species Helicoverpa zea - Corn Earworm - Hodges#11068

An online resource devoted to North American insects, spiders and their kin, offering identification, images, and information.

bugguide.net

HOSTS

• Beans
• Corn
• Eggplant
• Pepper
• Peas
• Tomato
  
  
  
  
  

 

[ducks4you]

I haven't caught any corn worms, but I've seen the aftermath!!
I only ever seen this caterpillar on my tomato plants and usually they look like this:

Those are the eggs of the parasitic wasp that hatches and eat the caterpillar from the inside out, so they don't reproduce. The green worm perfectly matches the stems of tomatoes and they are pretty big, usually over 3 inches long. When I kept chickens I would feed them any I found.
Don't mean to hijack this thread, BUT:

How to Identify and Get Rid of Tomato Hornworms

Big, fat, and green! These caterpillars can do a lot of damage to our summer crops—especially our precious tomatoes! Learn how to control tomato hornworms in your garden.

www.almanac.com

Back to the topic...:

10 Natural Ways to Get Rid of Corn Earworms - Dre Campbell Farm

If you're looking for natural ways to get rid of corn earworms, you've come to the right place. These are a few different methods you can try.

drecampbell.com

 

[digitS']

I should point out that the horn worm is not of the same species as the corn earworm.

The caterpillar that bores into the tomato fruit (and other plants) is the same as the corn earworm.

At least, some of those caterpillars that can be found inside tomatoes and chewing on soybeans etc., are the same.