If damage is found, look closely for the budworm. Count and record the number of plants with one or more live budworms present. Count only plants on which live budworms are found. Budworm counts are not necessary after topping, but heavy infestations should be noted. Budworms can be found by carefully separating the small leaves on the bud.
Aphids are small, soft-bodied insects that can build to large colonies on tobacco.
Winged aphids fly to plant beds or fields, where they produce a wingless form of the insect. Typically their numbers increase slowly until about six weeks after transplanting, then the rate of colony growth accelerates. Populations usually peak shortly after topping, then decline. Aphids damage tobacco by sucking plant juices from the leaves. This insect also deposits on tobacco plants a clear, sticky waste product called honeydew.