Knowledgebase

Tiny black winged insect on tomato plants #758339

Asked June 25, 2021, 10:25 AM EDT

Starting June 24th we suddenly are seeing hundreds of tiny black insects covering our 30 heirloom tomato plants in our backyard garden. They are black-bodied, with clear/translucent wings that go longer than the body, the wings clasped together. Total length including wings is less than 1/8 inch. These insects are spread out all over the stalks and undersides of leaves, but are not clustered together. They are not observed flying or hopping, just staying stationary on the stems and leaves. These plants were started from seed under lights, not purchased. We prefer using organic methods of mitigation.

Franklin County Ohio

Expert Response

Hi Andrew,

Thank you for your gardening question. I am sorry to say I cannot identify it, but am going to make some suggestions and give you additional information. If the information does not help you identify, you can catch specimen, place in the freezer for 2-3 hours to kill then placing in a sealable plastic prescription bottle or plastic container and bring to your location county extension office or a local garden store. But before doing any sort of treatment you want a positive identification.  Check out some of these articles and see if any of them are helpful. 

Fungus gnats https://ohioline.osu.edu/factsheet/ENT-59

Aphids: https://ohioline.osu.edu/factsheet/HYG-2031-10

https://content.ces.ncsu.edu/insect-and-related-pests-of-vegetables/pests-of-tomato

https://ohioline.osu.edu/factsheet/HYG-1624

Growing tomatoes be on the lookout for parasitoid wasps 
https://bugguide.net/node/view/821187

https://entomologytoday.org/2017/08/14/this-wasps-larvae-sometimes-grow-hundreds-of-soldier-clones-but-why/

Let me know if you need additional help 

Kim C.  Replied June 27, 2021, 3:35 PM EDT

Loading ...