Author Topic: Overnight Infestation on my Tomato Plant (Read 6643 times)

Townie · « **on:** May 04, 2009, 03:59:10 pm »

I went into the greenhouse this afternoon to water the tomato plants that we potted-on into their big new pots, I have 6 pots on one of my work benches and 2 on the floor... I did the ones on the bench first, then turned round to the ones on the floor and saw this... (having probs uploading pics - so links below to my flickr pages)

http://www.flickr.com/photos/8296413@N05/3501059870/sizes/l/

Then when the plant was moved they all started to scarper...

http://www.flickr.com/photos/8296413@N05/3500246661/sizes/l/in/photostream/

Can anyone help identifying these wee spiders?

xxmillyxx · « **Reply #1 on:** May 04, 2009, 04:06:02 pm »

Yewwww just the pictures made my heart stop a beat. No idea what they are but yuck.

Hope you find out though.

sellickbhoy · « **Reply #2 on:** May 04, 2009, 04:13:56 pm »

i've no idea, but thats boggin!!! LOL

i heard on the news today that we can expect tomato prices to rise this year as most of teh italian crop has been infested by mites or some such bug

HappyHippy · « **Reply #3 on:** May 04, 2009, 05:41:50 pm »

I'm not an expert, but they look like some kind of spider mite, usually misting with a spray designed to rid bugs and beasties would work. But can't help any more than that, sorry

Townie · « **Reply #4 on:** May 04, 2009, 05:47:04 pm »

I have been digging around online to try and identify them and I think I have it sussed... they are Araneus Diadematus

Quote

Araneus diadematus is one of the most common and best known orb weavers. It is easily identified by the distinctive white cross on the abdomen (although in some specimens it is indistinct or missing). This spider is most commonly called in England the 'garden spider', it is also known as the cross spider. They are common in woodlands, heathlands and gardens. They build circular orb webs and can be found either sitting at the center of the web with facing down or in a retreat at the end of a signal line a short distance from the web itself.

Found the information via this website : - http://www.nicksspiders.com/nicksspiders/araneusdiadematus.htm

xxmillyxx · « **Reply #5 on:** May 04, 2009, 06:39:17 pm »

OOOOh I just had to look and I've just had my dinner !?!

But I would say you are right that definitely looks like the little devils.

Fluffywelshsheep · « **Reply #6 on:** May 04, 2009, 06:51:12 pm »

if they are spiders, try putting some washing up liquid in a spray bottle and spray the plants, Spider hate chemicals and the washing up liquid make it very slippery to hold on to the plant.

I believe a tobacco water solution will do the same thing (boil a bit of tobacco in a saucepan and then add to a spray bottle, and spray the area after it has cooled down.

Linz

Townie · « **Reply #7 on:** May 04, 2009, 06:56:38 pm »

Thanks Linz...

I have gone up to the back of the garden where we put the tomato plant and they are all hiding underneath the leaves now, hopefully they will move to the trees soon ... Although I cant stand spiders, I dont think I could spray them with stuff...

Charlottes web had a big impact on my life when I was a youngster

sausagesandcash · « **Reply #8 on:** May 05, 2009, 08:43:21 am »

ARGHHHHHH , PESTULENCE....THE APOCALYPSE IS UPON US. Now where are those damn locusts?

northfifeduckling · « **Reply #9 on:** May 05, 2009, 02:23:45 pm »

Whoa, impressive! Are they known to harm the plant?
The thing that has attacked the tomato crop in the mediterranean countries is a virus...hope we will be spared this one, had enough problems with blight in the previous years. Some price increases to be looked forward to...

Townie · « **Reply #10 on:** May 26, 2009, 10:30:25 pm »

They have not harmed the plant... it seems to be thriving away at the back of the garden...

I have also sussed out why they got there.... there was a spider cocoon thingy on the side of the ceramic pot, the heat in the greenhouse must have given them all a sweat and they fled lol... my OH was given the ppot cleaning duties this year, you just cant get the staff