Something is Pruning and Topping My Plant! I FOUND THE CULPRIT. New Pic Update in OP

jojo · Apr 26, 2014

I suspect slugs, maybe not?

one day later

OK, I found the culprit around midnight... Picked him off and squished him. just like a grape... left his carcass out for the birds.

anyone know what it is? It looks like a hornworm, but it's brown... sorry for bad pic.

Noah Yates · Apr 26, 2014

Tobacco horn worms create this kind of damage, but honestly it looks like a mamalian critter munched on it. Deer like to nibble on just about everything they come across.

hogleg · Apr 26, 2014

Oly chit, thats some prune job. what ever it was i bet its tummy is full.

sorry, that sucks

Noah Yates · Apr 26, 2014

If it is a tobacco horn worm though... kill it (them) immediately.... they are pepper eating machines.

JoynersHotPeppers · Apr 26, 2014

Rabbits

nate6279 · Apr 26, 2014

I seen a blue jay picking at mine the other day.

jojo · Apr 26, 2014

The thing is, I don't see any evidence of any critters... the only mammals here are rats, cats, mice, possums, skunks, raccoons.

It may be the horn worm, but wouldn't they be hanging around the plant they are eating?

We do have these blue birds that hang out my garden daily, but I doubt it's them...

thanks for all your responses so far.

Rymerpt · Apr 26, 2014

jojo said:
I suspect slugs, maybe not?

Damn brother, want I should stand guard with a pellet gun and a flash light?

JoynersHotPeppers · Apr 26, 2014

Get a game cam

Do you have leaf cutter ants?

jerrywastheman · Apr 26, 2014

Looks like classic hornworm damage to me. Don't ask how I know. :cry:

jojo · Apr 26, 2014

Rymerpt said:
Damn brother, want I should stand guard with a pellet gun and a flash light?

If you don't mind... sure, come on over... I'll get some beer in the fridge ready for ya. :surprised:

JoynersHotPeppers said:
Get a game cam Do you have leaf cutter ants?

No, i don't think so, but I have seen some leaf cutter bees... But, hmmmm... I have seen them cutting up my other plants

I took a pic of this little guy... could it be?

JoynersHotPeppers · Apr 26, 2014

Don't think so, they do like to pinch you however

Rymerpt · Apr 26, 2014

The earwing is not your culprit sir.

jojo · Apr 26, 2014

JoynersHotPeppers said:
Don't think so, they do like to pinch you however

hahaha... i gave it a good pinching right after the pic

Rymerpt said:
The earwing is not your culprit sir.

thank you Robert... i will find it, and when i do...

hogleg · Apr 26, 2014

my first thought was horn worm. Had one eat a half of a giant beefsteak tomato overnight couple years ago. It was 6" long and fatter than a hotdog.

on a side note their little turds make great fertilizer. No burn.

if it was a horn worm u should be able to find turds.

President Trump · Apr 26, 2014

I have had this exact same thing happen to me in the past. I have never figured out exactly what caused it but I did find a solution. I cut the top and bottom off of a 2 liter bottle and use it as a collar around my plants. I never have any issues as long as I use the collar. As a little extra precaution I sprinkle coffee grounds around the outside of the bottle just in case it is caused by slugs or snails.

LawrenceJ2007 · Apr 26, 2014

Looks like hornworm to me as well, check your other plants nearby really well, they're great at hiding. Little shits.

jojo · Apr 26, 2014

hogleg said:
my first thought was horn worm. Had one eat a half of a giant beefsteak tomato overnight couple years ago. It was 6" long and fatter than a hotdog.

on a side note their little turds make great fertilizer. No burn.

if it was a horn worm u should be able to find turds.

no turds so far... i bet they fell in the soil, since i have no leaves. big fat hot dog size green worms?? damn, they are definitely not here man...

Ocho Cinco said:
I have had this exact same thing happen to me in the past. I have never figured out exactly what caused it but I did find a solution. I cut the top and bottom off of a 2 liter bottle and use it as a collar around my plants. I never have any issues as long as I use the collar. As a little extra precaution I sprinkle coffee grounds around the outside of the bottle just in case it is caused by slugs or snails.

thanks, im getting the coffee and collar ready for them soon.

LawrenceJ2007 said:
Looks like hornworm to me as well, check your other plants nearby really well, they're great at hiding. Little shits.

they are hiding... i know it... i can't find them anywhere... usually, i see them nibbling on my broccoli or some other veggies... oh, and my rocoto... those little shits! lol thanks man

hogleg · Apr 26, 2014

they messed with ur rocoto?... may i suggest nightvision a mak-90, and a bucket of napalm with a road flare just in case.

jojo · Apr 26, 2014

hogleg said:
they messed with ur rocoto?... may i suggest nightvision a mak-90, and a bucket of napalm with a road flare just in case.

that's too much... besides, Rymerpt is on his way with his pellet gun and flashlight lol