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Comprehensive Guide to Major Pests and Damage Symptoms of Bell Pepper (Capsicum annuum) Worldwide ​

Overview ​

Bell pepper (Capsicum annuum) is a widely cultivated vegetable around the world, and its production is constantly threatened by damage from a wide variety of pests. This comprehensive guide provides detailed descriptions of the major pests of bell pepper worldwide, covering classification, life history, ecology, and damage symptoms, regardless of region or cultivation environment (open field or greenhouse). Furthermore, this guide references both domestic and international official literature, including Japanese-language sources, and is based on the latest findings and practical examples.

1. Thrips ​

[Key Species and Classification] ​

  • Western flower thrips: Frankliniella occidentalis
  • Melon thrips: Thrips palmi (Both belong to Thysanoptera: Thripidae) [1][2][3]

[Ecology and Occurrence Characteristics] ​

  • Both larvae and adults feed by sucking cell contents from leaves, flowers, and fruit surfaces.
  • Small in size, they congregate primarily on new leaves, buds, flowers, and fruit surfaces, causing damage.
  • They prefer high temperature and humidity, and occur not only in greenhouses but also in open fields. The progression of pesticide resistance is a global concern [1][2][4].

[Damage Symptoms] ​

  • Feeding marks appear as silvery-white or brown spots and streak-like scars on leaves and fruit surfaces.
  • Damaged fruit develops a rough surface texture, reducing its market value.
  • Damage to flowers and buds leads to fruit deformation and poor fruit set.
  • Thrips are also globally significant as vectors of plant viruses (e.g., Tomato spotted wilt virus, TSWV) [1][2][3][5].

2. Aphids ​

[Key Species and Classification] ​

  • Green peach aphid (Myzus persicae)
  • Cotton aphid (Aphis gossypii) (Both belong to Hemiptera: Aphididae) [1][2][3]

[Ecology and Occurrence Characteristics] ​

  • They colonize new shoots, leaf undersides, flower buds, and stem tips in clusters to feed on plant sap.
  • With remarkable reproductive capacity, they tend to build up large populations rapidly during disease outbreaks.
  • Winged forms spread fungi and viruses over wide areas. Particularly dominant in greenhouse cultivation [2][3][4].

[Damage Symptoms] ​

  • Leaf curling, crinkling, stunted new shoots, and growth inhibition.
  • Sooty mold develops from copious honeydew excretion (leaves and fruit surfaces turn black).
  • They vector major viruses (such as mosaic viruses), causing mosaic patterns, stunting, twisting, and deformation of leaves and fruit [1][2][5].

3. Whiteflies ​

[Key Species and Classification] ​

  • Tobacco whitefly (Bemisia tabaci)
  • Silverleaf whitefly (Bemisia argentifolii)
  • Greenhouse whitefly (Trialeurodes vaporariorum) (All belong to Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) [1][2][3]

[Ecology and Occurrence Characteristics] ​

  • Adults are small white insects that congregate mainly on the undersides of leaves.
  • Both larvae (sessile stage) and adults feed by sucking sap, with particularly remarkable reproductive capacity under high temperatures and in greenhouse cultivation.
  • One of the most important pests globally, they are vectors of viruses such as Pepper yellow leaf curl virus [2][3][4].

[Damage Symptoms] ​

  • Leaf yellowing, curling, growth inhibition, and poor fruit coloration.
  • Sooty mold develops from honeydew (blackening of leaves and fruit).
  • Virus symptoms including yellowing and leaf curling, and deterioration of fruit appearance quality [1][2][6].

4. Fruit Borers and Armyworms ​

[Key Species and Classification] ​

  • Cotton bollworm (Helicoverpa armigera)
  • Corn earworm (Helicoverpa zea)
  • Common cutworm (Spodoptera litura) (All belong to Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) [1][2][3]

[Ecology and Occurrence Characteristics] ​

  • Adults are moths. Larvae cause direct damage by boring into leaves, buds, and fruit interiors.
  • Eggs are laid on leaves, fruit stalks, and young fruit; hatched larvae bore into fruit [2][3].
  • Strongly seasonal, with major outbreaks during warm periods. Even in greenhouses, adults can fly in from green belts or adjacent crops.

[Damage Symptoms] ​

  • Entry holes and feeding marks on fruit surfaces; internal feeding causes fruit flesh decay and fruit drop. Frass also adheres to fruit.
  • Secondary infections by fungi and bacteria develop from damaged areas.
  • Feeding damage to leaves and buds causes irregular holes, skeletonization, and in severe cases, growth inhibition [1][2].

5. Spider Mites ​

[Key Species and Classification] ​

  • Two-spotted spider mite (Tetranychus urticae) (Trombidiformes: Tetranychidae) [1][2][3]

[Ecology and Occurrence Characteristics] ​

  • Large populations develop on leaf undersides. All stages from egg to adult cause damage by sucking sap. Populations increase rapidly under dry, high-temperature conditions and are dominant in greenhouse cultivation.
  • They spin spider-web-like silk on leaves [2][3].

[Damage Symptoms] ​

  • White stippling, yellowing, and browning of leaf surfaces; defoliation as damage progresses.
  • Reduced photosynthetic capacity leading to growth cessation and poor fruit coloration and enlargement.
  • At high densities, spider-web-like silk can cover entire leaves [1][2].

6. Pepper Weevil ​

[Key Species and Classification] ​

  • Pepper weevil (Anthonomus eugenii) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) [7][8]

[Ecology and Occurrence Characteristics] ​

  • Reproduces mainly in warm regions (North and Central America) and in greenhouses.
  • Adults bore into flowers and young fruit to lay eggs. Internal larvae feed on plant tissue.

[Damage Symptoms] ​

  • Feeding damage inside flowers and young fruit, resulting in fruit drop and deformed fruit.
  • Internal boring marks and decayed areas are observed, causing distribution and marketing issues [7][8].

7. Stink Bugs and Other Pest Examples ​

[Representative Examples] ​

  • Stink bugs: Pierce fruit with their stylets, causing depressions, discoloration, and deformation on the skin.
  • Leafminers (Liriomyza spp.): Create serpentine white tunnels within leaves.
  • Other significant pest occurrences include cutworms, false ladybird beetles, scarab beetles, and polyphagous armyworms [1][2][5].

8. Diagnostic Points for Pest Damage Identification ​

  • Thrips: Silvery-white spots on new shoots, flowers, and fruit surfaces; presence of tiny insect clusters.
  • Aphids: Leaf curling and crinkling on new shoots and buds; colony formation, honeydew, and sooty mold.
  • Whiteflies: Small white insects on leaf undersides; yellowing and sooty mold at high densities.
  • Armyworms and fruit borers: Bore holes and frass in fruit and buds; fruit flesh collapse and fruit drop.
  • Spider mites: Leaf yellowing and spider-web-like substances.
  • Weevils: Premature fruit and flower drop; internal feeding marks.
  • Stink bugs and others: Depressions and sunburn-like discoloration on fruit surfaces; insect feeding galleries on leaf surfaces [1][2][4][5][7].

9. Occurrence Trends in Greenhouses vs. Open Fields and Other Considerations ​

  • In greenhouses, small, high-population-density pests such as thrips, aphids, whiteflies, and spider mites tend to dominate.
  • In open fields, the risk of fruit borers, armyworms, stink bugs, and leafminers is higher.
  • Particular vigilance is required worldwide against virus disease transmission by thrips and aphids [1][2][3][4][5].

10. Integrated Pest Management for Bell Pepper (Reference) ​

  • Regular visual inspection and early detection using sticky traps.
  • Physical control measures such as insect-proof nets and entry-prevention devices.
  • Active use of natural enemies (parasitoid wasps, predatory insects, and mites).
  • Pesticide rotation and resistance management.
  • Thorough removal of weeds and crop residues, and sanitation management.
  • Promotion of IPM (Integrated Pest Management) as the international standard [1][2][3][6].

Sources ​

[1] JA全農. Bell pepperの病害虫を防除しましょう. https://www.zennoh.or.jp/ib/contents/make/einou/2744.pdf
[2] 日産化学 病害虫防除マニュアル Bell pepper編. https://www.nippon-soda.co.jp/nougyo/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/病害虫防除マニュアル_Bell pepper編_2024.930.pdf
[3] IntechOpen: Major Pests and Pest Management Strategies in the Sweet Pepper. https://www.intechopen.com/chapters/82890
[4] JA協友アグリ株式会社. Bell pepper - 害虫図鑑. https://www.kyoyu-agri.co.jp/GAICHU-ZUKAN/crops/greenpepper.html
[5] Bell pepper農家が教えます！病気と害虫について. https://pi-mannblog.com/custom25.html
[6] Yamamu Farm. Bell pepper・トウガラシ類の病気と害虫｜症状の特徴と防除方法. 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