I keep finding these on my tomatoes, there is also some damage to the tomatoe plants. But can these small larvae have caused the damage? The damage is whole side shoots eaten.
I have searched and searched but can't find any information in regards to these little guys.
They make a cocoon in a leaf and that's how I spot them. The leaves are folded around them. I have found green one's, yellow one's and in some I only find a brown dried shell. I haven't seen any large ones anywhere on the plants themselves.
What are they and what are they doing when they cover themselves up like that? Are they the one's eating off the plant before they cocoon? Or do they emerge later in some form and eat away?
Any and all information will help. I don't know if they are harming my plants or if it's indeed something else that's actually eating my plants. I don't want to kill them if they are not doing any harm.
Thanks.