As I was checking on my newly planted tomato plants the other day, I noticed this black spot on a leaf. I thought at first it was just a bird turd because that is what it looked like. The bluejays and chickadees like to perch on the wire cages that are around the tomatoes and I almost didn’t look further, but then I saw another one – and it looked exactly the same.
Upon closer inspection I saw that it was a bug! I picked it up and it had a hard shell that split in half to reveal wings and it flew away. Like a ladybug, but not as cute. I noticed quite a few of them and began to pick them off the leaves because I noticed that they were chewing holes. I call it a turd bug because I have no idea what it is, but it looks like bird poop.
I’ve never encountered this bug before. If you know what it is, please leave me a message.
Update: They are now on my potato plants too.
12-11-12 …. Also…. Thank you to the reader who said they may be the Clavate Tortoise beetle or Plagiometiona clavata. I think so…!!! Many thanks.
See more photos on my Hydrangeas Blue blog where I wrote again about this bug when it showed up again.
New England's Narrow Road 
Jason
It’s 2022 and this page is still helping! I had never seen these little buggers before and they are eating my tomato leaves in Dundas Ontario, Canada. Thanks for the information!
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Pam
They seem to be a northern critter. I’ve never seen them in Florida. Good luck and thanks for reading….!
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Tonya
I googled “tomato plant big looks like bird poop” and thus genius page came up! Thank you!!
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Pam
It’s a weird bug, isn’t it?
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Rebecca
I found the same bug on my tomato plant leaf.
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Anonymous
I have found out that these bugs bugs are nicknamed “turd bugs” if that helps you
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Marti R
Might be a Clavate Tortoise Beetle (Plagiometriona clavata). Most gardeners seem to recommend controlling them by picking them off and killing them.
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Dustytoes
Yes, I looked it up and that is it! I did pick them off or flick them off the leaves as I could.
Thanks so much for the help.
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Marty
Have you had any luck finding out what this bug is? I too am having a small infestation of these no named bugs but have been having a difficulty identifying it.
Thanks
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Dustytoes
Nope, no luck with identification. They have pretty much gone – although I did find one on a tomato leaf yesterday. The odd thing is that I don’t remember EVER seeing these before. If you find out, come back and tell me – please!
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