I’m sure you’re wondering why on this beautiful, sunny, summer day, Asa and I are hanging out safe in my UFO bunker. Well at this very moment in our backyard, little green men…
Asa: Or women, we’re really not sure. So let’s call them little green friends…
Chuck Billy: Little green aliens have descended on our garden, and are being removed from the tomato plants by our very brave Dad.
Asa: Actually they are Tomato Hornworms, not aliens, and will grow into the Five Spotted Hawk Moth.
Chuck Billy: Will you please keep your commentary to yourself, Asa! I’m the renowned Dog Ufologist, and I know little green aliens when I see them! Besides, you’re telling me that this neon green creature is a harmless caterpillar moth?
Asa: To us? Perfectly harmless! To our tomatoes, well that’s a different story. They are hungry little friends, who will devour our tomato plants. But I don’t mind sharing.
Chuck Billy: Oh sure, like that spike is harmless!
Asa: Purely decorative! Can’t even sting us. Think of it as going through its adolescent rebellious punk stage, and just wants to look intimidating.
Chuck Billy: Of course it is from another planet! Look at all those eyes down its side!
Asa: Not eyes at all. Just camouflage.
Chuck Billy: What’s with all the camouflage? What are they trying to hide?
Asa: Themselves. I’m not certain, but I’m guessing they make a tasty treat for birds. I heard certain types of wasps like to eat them too. However, similar to you, they just want to eat their dinner in peace.
Chuck Billy: Well clearly the predators aren’t doing a good job eating them, based on the damage they have done to the tomato leaves, so Dad is…
Asa: …safely removing them to our woods! Apparently they like weeds, such as horse nettle, jimsonweed and nightshade. Not sure if we have any in our woods, but Dad is relocating them there, so they can feed their appetite on something other than our tomatoes. It’s good to try new foods!
Chuck Billy: Regardless of if they are from another planet or not, Tomato Hornworms are an invasive species, and must GO! Therefore we are staying in my UFO bunker until they are gone, so that you don’t make friends with them and invite them to eat all of our tomato plants.
