Below is a copy/paste link of helpful pictures provided by containerted from another post.

Another- http://kdcomm.net/~tomato/Tomato/d_out1.html

Here is a link that might be useful: hbci

For one thing, they look like they need fertilizer, especially nitrogen. What are you using? The kind, amount and frequency?

The small critters may be aphids. Squish 'em.

Are they in pots? If so, and your using clay soil in your mix, you may have a drainage problem. I think the little green bug might be a "leaf hopper" I but I don't think it's the main problem.

The Granny Smith, and the 2 Sweet 100's are in pots. The Early Girls are in a terrace, and are the only ones that are being grown in a clay soil/Miracle Grow/Amend mix.

Just to clarify, the bugs aren't green. They're black with wings, like gnats, but with longer bodies and wings, but I definitely am squishin' 'em!

I've only fertilized once with some Miracle Grow because I was under the impression that it'd put out too many leaves and not enough fruit. At this point though, it does look as though I could use some more leaves, lol.

Forgot to mention it, but you can see it in the photos, the veins of the Early Girls especially, but on all the tomatoes in general, are purpleish. The leaves aren't turning colors, but they're kind of tough and leathery.

I'm starting to feel like a garden hypochondriac. Every time I look up a new tomato disease or pest, I'm convinced that's what I have, so I'm hoping you all can help me narrow it down. After looking at pictures, I'm thinking maybe the bugs are thrips, and maybe they've spread TSWV to the plants, but some of the physical symptoms of TSWV don't sound exactly right on the money.

I'm so confused. I always thought gardening was so simple - throw plants in the ground, water, voila! Not so, I'm afraid. Soooo not so.

I don't see any signs of disease but I do see aphids and nutrient deficiency. The black bugs could be either fungus gnats from the soil/mulch and they thrive in too wet conditions. Dry the soil/mulch out and they leave. They could also just be more aphids.

The purple in the leaves is due to stress and often it is cool wet soil that causes it but other stress factors also cause it. In this case it is likely lack of food.:)

While it is true that OVER-feeding causes lots of leaves and low fruit levels, the plants still need to be fed - especially container plants - regularly.

Hope this helps.

Dave

Easy to tell difference between fungus gnat and aphid. Aphids will not try to fly away when disturbed.

You could have one or several problems. You are likely underfertilizing your tomatoes, you are probably overwatering them too. Try and eliminate problems ie. start fertilizing properly, let the top of the pots dry up a little bit between waterings.

I guess I really need to buy that watering can then! Should I feed by watering over the leaves (foliar, right?) or at the base?

Aren't aphids tiny and green? I haven't seen a single tiny green bug yet. =/

Aphids are green. And rosey. And yellowish. And spotted. And even coated with white waxy stuff. In other words, many different kinds.

Your black bugs are likely winged aphids. Whatever the case, keep squishing!

I haven't seen a single tiny green bug yet.

There are some in your pictures. ;) And I agree with Jean that aphids come with wings and they do fly and they come in all sorts of colors. That is usually how an infestation starts - with black winged aphids. You can find photos of them on the web.

Dave

OH! Ok, I'm laughing at myself now. I just looked over the photos, and I can see a green aphid! I guess I missed them when I was looking outside, but the camera was able to catch it. I looked up a photo of a black winged aphid, and that looks JUST like what I have! I am so relieved that it's not something more... untreatable.

I will head to the nursery and see if I can get some insecticidal soap and a watering can today, to start fertilizing. Poor, poor maters. I didn't realize I'd been neglecting them.

Just to be sure... fertilize via watering over the leaves, or watering at the ground?

At ground level is generally best. Best to avoid wet foliage as much as possible as it only encourages disease problems.

Dave