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List of main pests and damage symptoms of green peppers (Capsicum annuum, green pepper) in the world ​

Overview ​

Green peppers (Capsicum annuum) annuum) is a vegetable that is widely cultivated around the world, and its production is constantly threatened by damage from a wide variety of pests. This comprehensive list provides detailed explanations of the classification, life history, ecology, damage symptoms, etc. of the major pests of green peppers that are considered to be major worldwide, regardless of region or cultivation environment (open field or greenhouse cultivation). Furthermore, we refer to official documents in Japan and abroad, including Japanese, and provide explanations based on the latest knowledge and examples.

1. Thrips ​

[Main species/classification] ​

  • Western flower thrip: Frankliniella occidentalis
  • Thrips palmi (both Thysanoptera: Thripidae) [1][2][3]

[Ecology and Developmental Characteristics] ​

  • Both larvae and adults suck the cell contents on the surfaces of leaves, flowers, and fruits.
  • It is small and mainly gathers on the surface of new leaves, buds, flowers, and fruits and causes damage.
  • Prefers high temperature and humidity, and occurs not only in facilities but also outdoors. Progression of pesticide resistance is a global problem [1][2][4].

[Symptoms of Damage] ​

  • Silver-white or brown spots and streaks appear on the surfaces of leaves and fruits as suction marks.
  • The surface of damaged fruits becomes rough and the commercial value decreases.
  • Damage to flowers and buds results in malformed fruit shape and poor fruit set.
  • It is also important worldwide as a carrier of plant viruses (e.g. Tomato spotted wilt virus) [1][2][3][5].

2. Aphids ​

[Main species/classification] ​

  • Peach aphid (Myzus persicae)
  • Cotton aphid (Aphis gossypii) (Hemiptera: Aphididae) [1][2][3]

[Ecology and developmental characteristics] ​

  • They grow in clusters on the new shoots, undersides of leaves, flower buds, and tops of stems and suck the sap.
  • Due to its amazing fecundity, large outbreaks are likely to occur during disease outbreaks.
  • They have wings and can carry bacteria and viruses over a wide range. Particularly dominant in greenhouse cultivation [2][3][4].

[Damage Symptoms] ​

  • Rolling and curling of leaves, atrophy of new shoots, and poor growth.
  • The occurrence of soot disease due to large amounts of "honeydew" excrement (blackening of the leaf and fruit surfaces).
  • It transmits major viruses (mosaic disease, etc.) and causes mosaic, atrophy, twisting, and deformation of leaves and fruits [1][2][5].

3. Whiteflies ​

[Main species/classification] ​

  • Bemisia tabaci
  • Silver leaf whitefly (Bemisia argentifolii)
  • Trialeurodes vaporariorum (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae)[1][2][3]

[Ecology/developmental characteristics] ​

  • Adults are small white insects that gather mainly on the underside of leaves.
  • Both the larvae (fixed type) and adults suck the sap, and their reproductive ability is especially remarkable when grown at high temperatures or in facilities.
  • One of the most important pests worldwide and a carrier of viruses (Pepper yellow leaf curl virus, etc.) [2][3][4]

[Damage symptoms] ​

  • Yellowing, curling, poor growth of leaves, poor coloring of fruits.
  • Soot disease caused by honeydew (blackening of leaves and fruits).
  • Virus symptoms such as yellowing and shrunken leaves, and decreased appearance quality of fruit [1][2][6].

4. Fruit borers, armyworms ​

[Main species/classification] ​

  • Tobacco moth (Helicoverpa armigera)
  • Tobacco moth (Helicoverpa zea)
  • Spodoptera litura (Lepidoptera (Lepidoptera): Noctuidae (Noctuidae)) [1][2][3]

[Ecology and Developmental Characteristics] ​

  • The adult is a moth. The larvae cause direct damage by feeding on leaves, buds, and the inside of fruits.
  • Eggs are laid on leaves, fruit stalks, young fruits, etc., and the hatched larvae burrow inside the fruit [2][3].
  • Highly seasonal, occurring frequently during the warm season. Even within the facility, there are flies from the green belt and neighboring crops.

[Damage symptoms] ​

  • Puncture and bite marks on the fruit surface, rotting pulp and fruit drop due to internal feeding damage. Feces and frass are also attached.
  • Secondary infections such as fungi and bacteria occur from the damaged area.
  • Feeding damage to leaves and buds causes irregular holes, bone formation, and in severe cases, poor growth [1][2].

5. Spider mites ​

[Main species/classification] ​

  • Orange spider mite (Tetranychus urticae) (Trombidiformes: Tetranychidae) [1][2][3]

[Ecology and developmental characteristics] ​

  • Many occur on the underside of leaves. All eggs to adults cause damage by sucking sap. It tends to increase rapidly in times of dryness and high temperature, and is dominant in facility cultivation.
  • Spider web-like threads are spread on the leaves [2][3].

[Damage symptoms] ​

  • White spots on the leaf surface, yellowing, browning, and damage progresses, causing leaves to fall.
  • Growth stops due to decreased photosynthetic ability, resulting in poor fruit coloration and enlargement.
  • As the density increases, spiderweb-like threads may cover the entire leaf [1][2].

6. Pepper weevil ​

[Main species/classification] ​

  • Green pepper fruit weevil (Anthonomus (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) [7][8]

[Ecology and developmental characteristics] ​

  • Mainly breeds in temperate regions (North and Central America) and greenhouses.
  • Adults lay eggs by drilling into flowers and young fruits. Internal larvae feed on tissues.

[Damage symptoms] ​

  • Feeding damage marks on the inside of flowers and young fruits, resulting in fruit drop and deformed fruit.
  • Perforation marks and rotten parts are observed inside, which creates a distribution obstruction [7][8].

7. Stink bugs and other cases ​

[Typical example] ​

  • Stink bugs: Stink bugs damage the fruit with their stingers, causing depressions, discoloration, and deformities in the epidermis.
  • Leafminers, Liriomyza spp., etc.: Meandering white tunnels within the leaves.
  • Other important occurrences include bedbugs, ladybugs, scarab beetles, free green beetles, and broad-feeding armyworms [1][2][5].

8. Damage diagnosis points for each pest ​

  • Thrips: Confirmation of silvery white spots on shoots, flowers, and fruit surfaces, and clusters of microscopic insect bodies.
  • Aphids: Curling and curling of leaves on new shoots and buds, clusters, honeydew, and sooty disease.
  • Whiteflies: Small white insects on the underside of leaves, yellowing and sooty disease at high density.
  • Artemisia and fruit moths: Perforation and frassing of fruits and buds, disintegration of fruit pulp and fruit drop.
  • Spider mites: yellowing of leaves and web-like material.
  • Weevils: Falling off of immature fruits and flowers and traces of feeding damage inside.
  • Stink bugs and others: Hollows and sunburn-like discoloration on the fruit surface, insect-eaten burrows on the leaf surface, etc. [1][2][4][5][7].

9. Outbreak trends in greenhouses and open fields and other precautions ​

  • Greenhouses (facility cultivation) are dominated by small, frequent pests such as thrips, aphids, whiteflies, and spider mites.
  • In open fields, there is a high risk of fruit moths, armyworms, stink bugs, and leafminers.
  • The utmost vigilance is required worldwide, especially against the transmission of viral diseases by thrips and aphids [1][2][3][4][5].

10. Comprehensive management of green pepper pests (Reference) ​

  • Early detection through regular visual inspection and use of sticky traps.
  • Physical control such as insect nets and intrusion prevention devices.
  • Active use of natural enemies (parasitic wasps, predatory insects, mites, etc.).
  • Drug rotation and pesticide resistance management.
  • Thorough removal of weeds and damage residue and hygiene management.
  • Promotion of IPM (Integrated Pest Management) is an international standard [1][2][3][6].

Sources ​

[1] JA Zennoh. Let's control pests and diseases of green peppers. https://www.zennoh.or.jp/ib/contents/make/einou/2744.pdf
[2] Nissan Chemical Pest Control Manual Green Pepper Edition. https://www.nippon-soda.co.jp/nougyo/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Pest control manual_Green pepper edition_2024.930.pdf
[3] IntechOpen: Major Pests and Pest Management Strategies in the Sweet Pepper. https://www.intechopen.com/chapters/82890
[4] JA Kyoiyu Agri Co., Ltd. Green Pepper - Pest Illustrated Guide. [5] A green pepper farmer will teach you! About diseases and pests. https://pi-mannblog.com/custom25.html
[6] Yamamu Farm. Diseases and pests of peppers and chili peppers｜Characteristics of symptoms and control methods. https://ymmfarm.com/cultivation/pest/by-veg/green-pepper-pests/
[7] The Spruce: 10 Common Pepper Plant Pests and How to Get Rid of Them. https://www.thespruce.com/bugs-on-peppers-8704791
[8] Phytopath.ca: Diseases and Pests of Greenhouse Pepper. https://phytopath.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/DPVCC-Chapter-24-greenhouse-pepper.pdf

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