What are these glowing eggs doing on my jalapeno plant?

July 16, 2009 1:07 PM

GardenFilter. What insect will these translucent (and possibly glowing) eggs turn into? Photo here.

I'd have to get another look after dark to see if they really are glowing or are simply reflective.

If they will turn into something that will eat the plant or the fruit I'll get rid of them, but I'd rather leave them alone if they are likely to be beneficial or neutral.

posted by joeyo to home & garden (5 comments total)

It is impossible to tell from the photo. You also provided no information about where geographically you're located or the location of the plant itself. Have you noticed any damage on your pepper plants of any kind? How about your tomato, eggplant, or potatoes? Any damage besides little pinholes in your potatoes?

You could also remove the leaf they're on and place in it a sealed container well away from the pepper plant and see what they hatch into.
posted by ZaneJ. at 1:35 PM on July 16

Looks like something relative large, like Sphinx Moth, which is yer Tomato Hornworm.
posted by weapons-grade pandemonium at 1:49 PM on July 16

You also provided no information about where geographically you're located or the location of the plant itself.

The plants are located in central North Carolina and are being grown near tomatoes and okra. No obvious damage to anything. There are some ants and and leafhoppers on the okra.
posted by joeyo at 2:32 PM on July 16

I think generally when a bug lays eggs on a plant, on the leaves, it's because when the eggs hatch, what's inside will want to be eating those leaves right away.
posted by thebazilist at 4:14 PM on July 16

Just to clarify, wpg, that particular sphinx moth does not feed on tomatoes. You are thinking of Manduca sexta (Carolina sphinx) or Manduca quinquemaculata (Five-spotted hawkmoth). The One-eyed Sphinx Moths don't bother tomato plants. Otherwise, that definitely looks like the egg laying pattern of sphinx moths that eat tomatoes and peppers.

I agree that they are most likely planning to eat your plants when they hatch.
posted by oneirodynia at 5:55 PM on July 16