TOMATO FRl ITWORM 
(Heliothis armigera ( Hbn .)) 
-fi S 
Life History 
The tomato fruitworm, or corn earworm, occurs over the entire United 
States and feeds on several crops, including tomatoes, cotton, and corn. 
In the Southern States and in California it is a serious pest of tomatoes 
every year. In the extreme South moths may emerge as early as 
January from their pupal cells, although most of them appear later in 
the spring. Shortly after the female moth emerges she begins to lay her 
eggs, which are somewhat smaller than the head of a common pin. She 
lays them singly on the leaves of the plant. As the larvae hatch they 
crawl over the leaves, feeding sparingly. They eventually find their way 
to the fruits, into which they cut holes or burrow, usually at the stem 
end. A worm may feed until full grown upon a single tomato, or it may 
move from one tomato to another, injuring several before it completes its 
growth. The full-grown worm leaves the fruit and enters the soil, where 
it transforms into the pupal or resting stage. There may be two or more 
broods a season. 
Control 
A satisfactory remedy for this pest is a 10-percent DDT dust. In locali- 
ties where the tomato russet mite is a pest the dust should also contain 
at least 25 percent of sulfur. Where the tomato russet mite is not a pest, 
corn meal containing 10 percent of cryolite has also given satisfactory 
control. 
Best results will be obtained by making three applications — the first 
when the plants are about 1 to 2 feet across and are beginning to set fruit, 
and the second and third applications after intervals of 14 days. The 
DDT dust should be applied at 30 pounds per acre, and the corn-meal 
mixture at 60 pounds per acre per application. The entire foliage should 
be covered, especially the growing tips and outer leaves of the plants. 
The dust should be applied with hand or power dusters. The corn-meal 
mixture may be scattered by hand. 
CAUTION. — DDT and cryolite are poisons. Their use on the tomato crop 
may leave an undesirable residue on the fruit, which should he removed by 
washing or wiping before the fruit is marketed or eaten. 
Issued February 1941 
Revised June 1950 i 6 — 19066-2 U. S. Government Printing Office 
For sale by the Superintendent of Documents, Washington 25, D. C. — Price 5 cents 
