Yeah, those tomato worms are a bitch. They seem to have no end to their appetite. You'll be able to tell by little black spots (their poops) all over the leaves.

Wow, 8 or 9 feet long? That looks suspiciously like a clothes hanger.....

I have absolutely no idea if you'd be able to salvage the seeds. I'd assume so, but you may have to dry and store them in some certain matter. Definitely keep us posted on this.

Smoked!'s point about the humidity/heat in the south brings up something interesting - I wonder if I can get 2 growing seasons in one summer/fall. The trick would be not frying the small seedlings when getting them used to the outdoors. Assuming you introduced them to the elements, say, in August, with the purpose of planting them at the end of the month (around the same time you harvested your first batch), I bet you could have a healthy crop around Halloween. Maybe next year.