What Are Some Pests That Attack Jalapeno Peppers?

Colorado Potato Beetle

• Although Colorado potato beetles prefer potatoes or eggplants, they'll attack jalapeno peppers, as well. Adult beetles are 3/8 inch long. The wings are yellow with distinctive black stripes. The larvae are red or orange with black stripes along the sides of their bodies. Colorado potato beetles are voracious feeders, both as adults and in the larval stage. In large numbers, they quickly decimate pepper plants, leaving only the veins of the leaves. Handpick them in small numbers or squash the small red eggs found on leaves. Treat more serious infestations with a Bacillus thuringiensis product labeled to kill beetles.

Aphids

• Aphids are tiny, wingless, green, pink or brown insects that suck the juices from leaves and stems, causing the leaves to become yellowed and wilted. Check under the leaves to find these insects or look for other tell-tale signs of their presence, such as honeydew, a sticky substance, on the leaves and soil. Large numbers of ants are another sign of aphid infestation because the ants feed on the honeydew. Spray the pepper leaves with insecticidal soap or a steady stream of water if the damage becomes severe. Predatory insects such as ladybugs and lacewings usually keep aphids in check without further controls.

Whiteflies

• Greenhouse whiteflies are so named because they normally are prevalent in greenhouse conditions. Occasionally, though, they make an appearance in the home vegetable garden. Adult whiteflies are small, white, moth-like insects, and the larvae resemble scales. Like aphids, whiteflies secrete honeydew. Spray the undersides of the jalapeno pepper plants' leaves with insecticidal soap to smother whiteflies.

Spider Mites

• Spider mites are so tiny that they are barely perceptible to the naked eye. In fact, you probably won't know you have spider mites until you observe their damage. The undersides of the pepper leaves may appear dingy or have webbing; the leaves may turn yellow or brown in severe infestations. Spider mite infestations usually are most serious during periods of dry, hot weather. Treat spider mites by spraying them with a pesticide labeled for spider mites, spraying the undersides of the leaves where spider mites feed. An even more effective solution is predatory mites, available at nurseries or online. These mites feed on spider mites and often control them more successfully than pesticides.

Caterpillars

• A number of caterpillars and worms attack jalapeno peppers, such as hornworms, cutworms, tomato fruitworms and armyworms. Caterpillars and worms may be green, brown, black or red; some are striped or have spines. Caterpillars and worms may defoliate pepper plants or feed on the fruit. Hand-pick then drop them in a bucket of soapy water to control them.