the stem w/o leaves is probably dead ... as i doubt there are any dormant buds to sprout ... but i could be wrong ... give it a week or two.. and see ...

the cups should work ... if you are positive.. the cut worm is outside of it ... they are usually within an inch or two of the plant within the first inch of soil ...

do go out at night.. and see what you might find ...

if it is slugs .... the cups wont stop them ... though they usually aret as efficient in removing the whole top is one night ...

kim.... there is a way to go to your members page.. and change your screen name back to you old gw name ...

ken

Go out after dark with a flashlight and look. Begin just after dusk, you may have to make more than one trip to find your pest feeding. When you've identified it, we can help suggest control.

We have climbing cutworms here, they will climb mature plants to feed on buds and foliage - your collars wouldn't stop them.

It might be helpful too in identifying likely problems for you if you could add your gardening zone, approximate area to your name. Easily done if you go to Your Houzz, Edit Profile, then Advanced Settings on the left. Scroll down until you come to the box to add your zone, finish with clicking Update.

That looks like a pretty clean diagonal cut and a bit high for cutworms (although I wouldn't rule them out). Any rabbits about?

tj

I'm thinking that it's the work of a quadruped of some sort, too.

I'm suspecting mice too. I sprinkled some chili pepper flakes on and around the seedlings so we shall see if that works I live in Hawaii by the way :)

if it were rabbit.. i would expect a lot more damage than the top of one single plant ... same with mice ...

BTW... why are your two seedlings planted so close together???

based on your name.. and if you arent aware.. there is a rather rabid tomato forum ....

ken