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Spicy exchange / 2023

8 common insects that damage pepper plants

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Pests on peppers

Pests can vary widely, with different species prevailing over time, locations, and regions. While some pests may cause minor damage, others have the potential to decimate your entire crop if left unchecked.

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This story will help you identify the insects chewing on your peppers, and teach you about natural and chemical options for treating them.

What to do about it

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Leaf miners are tiny larvae that feed on the inside of leaves, leaving distinctive light trails as they move. These pests cause damage to the leaves of pepper plants, leading to premature leaf drop. Parasitic wasps can help control leaf miners.

Leaf miners

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Aphids

Aphids, small and soft-bodied insects, are a common nuisance for pepper plants. Typically, they congregate on the underside of leaves, stems, and new growth. Ladybugs are a natural predator of aphids.

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Thrips, scientifically known as Thysanoptera, are soft-bodied insects that feed on plant sap. Measuring less than 1/8th of an inch in length, they have elongated bodies. Thrips can cause leaf stippling, bleaching, curling or distortion, whitish waxy growth, or sticky honeydew.

Thrips

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Weevils

Weevils are small, hard-bodied insects. These pests can pose a problem for pepper plants as they can cause bud and fruit drop, affecting the plant’s overall productivity. One notable behavior of weevils is their habit of laying eggs inside the fruit.

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Flea beetles are tiny, hard-bodied insects that resemble fleas in their size and hopping behavior. They can range in color, including black, brown, bronze, and blue. These pests can be a nuisance for pepper plants as they have a penchant for causing holes in the leaves.

Flea beetles

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Spider mites

Although minuscule in size—up to 1/50 inch long—Spider mites are often too tiny to be visible to the naked eye. These soft-bodied pests lay their eggs under the leaves of pepper plants, contributing to their stealthy nature.

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Cutworms are notorious pests that specifically target seedlings, posing a significant threat to the growth and survival of your pepper plants. These pests chew through the base of the plant, cutting it down and causing instant damage that can lead to the death of the entire plant

Cutworms

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Hornworms

Hornworms are large caterpillars characterized by a distinctive protruding horn. Both tomato and tobacco hornworms pose a threat to pepper plants, as they may feed on them. In the natural ecosystem, parasitic wasps play a crucial role as predators of hornworms.

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There are several approaches you can take to effectively control pest populations: - Embrace natural predators by avoiding pesticides, especially early in the season - Manually remove and squish insects - Consider natural pesticides like BT and DE

What to do about pests

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