Capsicum Growing Notes

Aphids

Green peach aphid Mysus persicae and Cotton/melon aphid Aphis gossipii are the two main aphid species in capsicum growing regions of Australia.  Glasshouse potato aphid Aulacorthum solani and Potato aphid Macrosiphum euphorbiae are also a common pest in glasshouse production. They steal sugars and nutrients from the plant producing a sticky honey dew that encourages sooty mold and reduces the vigour and yield of the plant.  They are also a vector of viruses specifically Potyviruses such as Potato virus Y, PVY.  Ants will feed off the honey dew excreted by aphids and in return can provide protection from predators and can transport, encouraging the spread of aphids. Ants may need to be controlled to encourage natural aphid predators. 

There are numerous beneficial insects for controlling aphids and many of these can be purchased online from businesses like Bugs For Bugs and Biological Services.  

Beneficial insects include:

• Parasitic wasps such as Aphidius colemani and Aphelinus sp. 

• Generalist predators such as lady bugs, lacewings, orius (pirate bug), Nesidiocorus tenuis, big eyed bug, damsel bug to name a few. 

• Specialist predators include hoverfly, specifically the larvae is a voracious consumer of aphids.

There are also a number of highly effective aphicides registered for use in capsicums and chili peppers. check with APVMA for registration status prior to using.

Lepidopteran pests

Moth larvae namely Heliothis Helicoverpa armigera/punctigera and Cluster caterpillar Spodoptera litura are the two lepidopteran pests of main concern. Fall armyworm Spodoptera frugiperda has become a more recent, albeit inconsistent, pest of capsicums and cut worm (multiple species) is often a problem if early management strategies are not implemented i.e. clean beds with good weed control or insecticide application prior to transplant. Potato tuber moth can also be a potential problem Phthorimaea operculella.  

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Thrips

Thrips pests of capsicum are Western Flower Thrips Frankliniella occidentalis, Tomato Thrips Frankliniella schultzei, Melon Thrips Thrips palmi. and to a lesser extent Plague Thrips thrips imaginis, Onion Thrips Thrips tabaci and Hairless Flower Thrips Pseudanaphothrips achaetus.

Thrips rasp leaf and fruit surfaces causing blemishes on fruit. They feed on flowers and young fruit which can disrupt normal fruit development, reducing marketability.  Thrips are a known vector for viruses specifically Tospoviruses such as tomato spotted wilt virus TSWV and capsicum chlorosis virus CaCV.

There are some highly effective insecticides available for controling thrips species, however adults are highly mobile and lifecycle can take under 10 days in optimal conditions. Predatory insects are available for thrips control and include:

• Pirate Bug (Orius)

• Predatory mite species (Euseius, Amblyseius, Typhlodromips, Anystis, Hypoaspis aculeifer)

• Lacewing larvae

• Ladybeetles

• Predatory thrips species such as Franki Franklinothrips vespiformis

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Fruit Fly and Leaf Miner