Insects & Spine-Like Bugs on Pepper Plants

Aphids

• Aphids are small insects, often feeding and colonizing on the undersides of pepper leaves. Not only do these tiny, sucking insects damage plants aesthetically, they can cause a number of problems including spreading viruses. In most cases, however, pepper plants can handle somewhat large colonies of aphids and don't require any protection or pesticides. Viruses on peppers spread by aphids include cucumber mosaic virus, tobacco etch, alfalfa mosaic virus and potato virus Y. However, aphids can only transmit the disease within an hour or less of feeding on an infected plant.

Beetles

• Many species of beetle larvae and adults attack peppers, including pepper weevils, blister beetles, Colorado potato beetle and flea beetles. The larvae of beetles are known as grubs, and many seek out different parts of the pepper upon hatching. Adults often feed on the leaves or stems, using their chewing mandibles to damage the plant. Many, including flea beetles and pepper weevils, are more common on recent transplants.

Moths and Larvae

• Adult moths aren't of concern when it comes to destroying your pepper plants. If they feed at all, it's through their long proboscis and not through chewing mouthparts. Moth larvae, or caterpillars, however, are the primary pests of many plants, peppers included. Moth larvae that are common pests of pepper include, but aren't limited to tomato fruitworm, armyworms, tomato pinworms and hornworms.

Other Insect Pests

• Certain species of flies attack pepper plants, mostly during their larval stage. Leafminer larvae create whitish, swirling patterns on leaf surfaces as they feed. Whiteflies are a common pest of many plants including peppers. Pepper plants are also susceptible to thrips and spider mites, as well as true bugs such as stinkbugs and leaf-footed bugs.

Spiny Insects

• You might find a few insects on your pepper plants that are spiny or otherwise have spines. Among the most common are the tomato and tobacco hornworms, very large, light- to seafoam-green caterpillars with large, reddish-brown spines on their rears. Another spiny insect you might encounter is ladybug larvae. These small, irregularly shaped creatures are black with orange, yellow or reddish markings on their abdomen. Their bodies are covered in small spines, much like a pincushion. The wheel bug is a large, odd-looking creature with a characteristic, spiny, cogwheel-like protrusion on its back. Both ladybug larvae and wheel bugs are effective predators of pests and are beneficial to your pepper plants.

Control Options

• Pyrethrins are broad-spectrum insecticides made from chrysanthemum flowers. Pyrethrins come pre-mixed in spray bottles or other formulas and are simple to apply to pepper plants. Application rates are normally once every two to three weeks, although this may vary between products. Pyrethrin insecticides are ideal for aphids, whiteflies, stinkbugs and spider mites, common pests of pepper plants. Other options include insecticidal soap diluted to 2 to 3 percent with water and pre-mixed, diluted neem oil. Many pests, including aphids, can be knocked off the pepper plants with a strong, steady stream of water.