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Greenfly eggs (possibly) on young tomato plants

• Message 1. 

  Posted by juliana50 (U14218594) on Friday, 20th May 2011

  Hello. It's a long time since I posted on the Gardening Board, though I'm often on the Food Board.
  
  I'm hoping someone on here can help me.
  We have bought some small tomato plants, ready to plant out in the greenhouse at the weekend. We did this very successfully last year for the first time, and have them in the conservatory awaiting planting.
  
  This morning I found that one of the plants is covered in tiny green eggs, which I suspect are greenfly eggs. I have moved the plant away from the others for now, but I would hugely appreciate any advice from you experienced people. Thankyou so much.

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• Message 2

  , in reply to message 1.

  Posted by juliana50 (U14218594) on Friday, 20th May 2011

  How sad that no-one can advise me on how to tackle greenfly on a little tomato plant.
  I am not certain that the eggs are from greenfly, it's just that the eggs are green.
  
  If they were on my roses I would have no problem in treating them, but since the tomatoes are going to be eaten eventually, I am really in a genuine quandary.

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• Message 3

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  Posted by Logissimo (U14020652) on Saturday, 21st May 2011

  Hi Juliana,
  
  I shouldn't worry too much, if I were you. Unless you have very good eyesight it is unlikely that the eggs are aphids. Even if they are you could just run them over with your finger. They may be young aphids, aphids give birth to live young, which I suppose do resemble eggs, most of the year anyway. You could rinse them off with a squirt of water, or even better soapy water.
  
  If you have plenty of hoverflies around, leave the job to them, (or ladybirds, or lacewings); This year I've had heavy infestations of aphids on roses, cosmos and cleome this year but because of plenty of hoverflies I haven't bothered to spray and they, the aphids, have all disappeared; I haven' t seen any ladybirds so far this year.
  
  Finally I don't think there are many products available which would still be present on your tomato plants when the fruit are ready to pick even if you treat them now, the label would in any case warn you about this.
  
  Good luck L

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• Message 4

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  Posted by Oldends (U13875463) on Saturday, 21st May 2011

  Patience is a virtue, Juliana50. We're not at your beck and call.
  
  Aphids do lay eggs, but only in autumn and winter and then on trees and shrubs. During spring and summer the young are live born straight out of mummy aphid so no eggs.

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• Message 5

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  Posted by thedogcody (U14659366) on Saturday, 21st May 2011

  I too don't think they can be greenfly eggs - I cant imagine the size bit they must be minute -but I am intrigued- you say covered but is it just one leaf or the whole plant - best solution if really bad is to squash them !!

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• Message 6

  , in reply to message 1.

  Posted by jamie01 (U14066574) on Saturday, 21st May 2011

  A few days ago I noticed one of my aubergine plants looking a bit different to the others. There were whiteflies and exactly as you described, small oval shaped bright green bugs about 1mm long on the leaves and on top of the compost. I squished the latter and washed the others off with a spray. There was no sign on any of the other plants, but that doesn't mean much at this time of year. I also read an article which said the cold winter decimated predators, the life cuycle of aphids is very rapid, and our very warm spell accelerated the process.

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• Message 7

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  Posted by juliana50 (U14218594) on Saturday, 21st May 2011

  Many thanks for all these helpful replies
  
  (Sorry Oldends if I seemed to whinge - patience has never been my strong point)
  
  So it seems they are likely to be white fly?
  I have squished off what I could and sprayed the stem and compost with water. Will keep an eye on them and suish as necessary.
  Thanks again.

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