Homegrown tomato lovers, beware. A sneaky pest may be lurking in your garden, which could be why your fruit turns tough, blemished or completely inedible. Leaf-footed bugs are appearing in gardens across the South, and they’re especially drawn to tomatoes.

Molly Keck, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service integrated pest management specialist in Bexar County, said now is the time for Texas gardeners to closely watch for leaf-footed bugs because catching them before adulthood is vital for preventing damage. She shared simple strategies to stop these pests before they ruin your crops.

Leaf-footed bugs: What to look for in various stages

Leaf-footed bugs are named for their flattened, leaf-like extensions on their back legs. Adults are dark brown, about three-quarters of an inch long, with

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