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Because of its origins in South America, the tomato plant has very few natural pests here in Great Britain, although it will suffer the scourge of common glasshouse pests if they are grown under protection. In fact, you are far more likely to experience problems when growing under glass or in a grow bag than you will ever get when growing directly into well prepared soil.
Blackfly belong to the aphid family and if left to their own devices can turn into a severe infestation stunting the growth of you plants and reducing your tomato crops yield.
Cause: Blackfly are a well known pest insect that can quickly colonise the soft tissue parts of your plant. They damage and weaken the plant by sucking the sap out of pressurised parenchyma cells just below the leave cuticle.
Symptoms: Clusters of these small insects are readily identifiable, normally at the plants tips or on the underside of their leaves. In severe cases, the infected parts can begin to wither due to the quantity of sap being removed from that area. The foliage can become sticky and may show signs of a harmless, black mould called sooty mould.
Treatment: There are many chemical treatments available including a number of organic, but all of these must be applied at the first signs of infection to achieve the best results. Try applying contact insecticides such as pyrethrum, derris or soft soap solutions as these are the best option for organic gardeners. Alternatively you can try planting 'companion plants' to help draw in natural aphid preditors.
For more information click onto:
Aphids and their Natural Preditors
Blight Resistant Tomatoes
Common Insect Pests on Tomatoes
Common Tomato Pests and Diseases
Flea Beetles on Tomato Plants
Grey Mould on Tomatoes
How to Control Mosaic Virus on Tomato Plants
How to Grow the Pyrethrum Daisy from Seed
How to Grow Tomatoes?
How to Grow Tomatoes from Seed
How to Grow Tomato Seed
How to get rid of Flies?
Organic Control of Grey Mould on Tomato Plants
Red Spider Mite on Tomatoes Plants
Tomato Soup
What are the Natural Predators of Plant Lice?
What is Blossom End Rot on Tomatoes?
Which Plants Attract Aphid Predators to the Garden?
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