Yes. They grow fast. Snip off the denuded stems and the plants will grow sideshoots. Keep a lookout for eggs and more caterpillars.

And make a note of the date so you will know when to expect them next year on your plants. It's always handy to know when to expect trouble. ;-) With that much damage the eggs were laid approx. 7-10 days ago.

Dave

Susan, can you explain a little bit more about how exactly I should snip them off? Do you mean the tiny branches that lost leaves? Or snip the main stem all the way down to the healthy leaves?

Digdirt--that's a great idea! Thanks!

Hard to say without seeing the plant but basically you snip off anything that looks like a bare stick. Or think of it as snipping back to just above the first healthy leaflet you find.

Look for the nodes (the little lumps on the stem where leaves sprout) on each branch. That is where new growth will come from so you just snip off to 1/2" above it. Better to remove too little than too much. Once the new growth starts you will be able to see what can be cut off better.

Dave

If it's just a leaf, clip it where it attaches to the stem. If it's the stem, clip it down to where a healthy leaf is attached. It will grow a new stem out of the leaf axil (where the leaf attaches to the stem.)

Hornworms ate up two of my plants but they have recovered as far as growing and leafs but not producing any tomatoes . what can i do ?

HU, give your plant some time to recover if possible. I get hornworm damage every year on my tomato plants. The leaves will grow back and the plant will continue to grow. It will take alittle time for the plant to produce flowers again. Just keep watch for any new hornworms to avoid more damage.

Easy to avoid hornworms by applying Bt.

Definitely will recover

I agree, mine normally recover. They take some time to grow some new foliage and it takes more time to get tomatoes. I get a worm or two every year, I only find them when they start doing damage and then I have to find them. The chickens love them, though.

Annie