tomato blemish

Hi all. I am a new member to the forum and I am looking for advice and comments on specific problem with my tomato crop (growing outside on the Wirral). I am aware of the usual suspects, blossom end rot, splitting etc, however I can’t find a reference in terms of an image to the blemishes I am seeing on a few, not many but I’m curious to find an answer. I suspect a pest such as snail, slug caterpillar etc. but no sign of slug trails or caterpillars on show. The pictured is a Moneymaker with the blemish, I have other varieties, Ailsa craig. Marmande Is also another image, (poor showing from this one this year blossom end rot on 50% of this variety, probably my watering regime ) gardeners delight and a few others. All seem to have been affected slightly. Any thoughts from the forum would be appreciated.

On a general tomato note. It has been a poor year for me, in terms of yield and growth, I assume because of the late germination this year because of the cold wet start. Next year to try again…. Thanks in advance for any thoughts supplied…

 

I'd guess at snails
I have 4 tomato plants outside and a good 50% of the tomatoes have similar issues.
I have 8 plants in the greenhouse and none are affected

I often find snails either on the fruits or taking a nap (after a good nibble!) under a leaf.

Welcome the the forum

 

I even had that with Aubergines earlier, I agree its probably snails.

 

Another possibility is Lacanobia oleracea, the Bright–line Brown-eye moth which leaves similar damage. This is a common moth with many food plants. The caterpillars which cause the damage are mainly nocturnal and hide amongst the foliage and supports during the day.

 

Thanks for the suggestions from all, referring to BobTg suggestion i did spot a caterpillar a couple of weeks ago, in the daytime though, after googling I would say it was very similar to the moth caterpillar which I googled, about 2cm long and the bright green colour. it wasn't on the fruit but lurking around the bottom of the foliage. I will have a go with the torch tonight to see if there is any signs of the culprit. Annoyingly it seems to prefer nibbling on the almost ripe fruits, watch this space....

 

Thanks for the suggestions from all, referring to BobTg suggestion i did spot a caterpillar a couple of weeks ago, in the daytime though, after googling I would say it was very similar to the moth caterpillar which I googled, about 2cm long and the bright green colour. it wasn't on the fruit but lurking around the bottom of the foliage. I will have a go with the torch tonight to see if there is any signs of the culprit. Annoyingly it seems to prefer nibbling on the almost ripe fruits, watch this space....

 

This is a picture of the leaves at the rear of the plants, these are up against a wall and are out of view so I haven't really noticed it before.
I can see damage to the leaves, caterpillar possibly? I didn't see any activity on the fruits though. Just thought I post an update for anyone who may be interested... Sorry aout the previous double post, still finding my bearings...

 

That very much looks more like caterpillar damage rather than slug/snail damage.
I've been growing tomatoes for 50+ years and I can't recall ever seeing a nibbled leaf!

Hope you manage to find the culprits!

 

Yes, I can't recall ever seeing slugs/snails on he leaves of my tomato plants in the past, i am veering towards caterpillar damage to the fruits, I will keep observing for signs of the pest. Maybe the risk is over as the weather is cooler at night time, perhaps they have all turned in for the year

 

It does look very much like Bright–line Brown-eye moth damage to the leaves, too.
I've had regular attacks on my plants, nearly every year.
The caterpillars are extremely good at hiding!
Try vigorously shaking the plants at night - the caterpillars often fall to the ground before making their way back to the stem. Look for the droppings, which are black - if you can't find any at all then it could still be slugs. Good luck!