Capsicum Growing Notes

Aphids

The aphids most commonly associated with field capsicums include green peach aphid (Myzus persicae) & cotton or melon aphid (Aphis gossypii). In greenhouses they can also include potato aphid (Macrosiphum euphorbiae) and foxglove aphid (Aulacorthum solani).

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Aphids feed on plant sap, reducing plant vigour and causing distorted new growth, leaves and flower buds. Large populations produce sticky honeydew, which encourages the development of sooty mould on leaves and fruit. Aphids can also transmit economically important plant viruses, including Potato virus Y (PVY). AUSVEG aphid guidance

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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. 

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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 and consider the effect on beneficial insects.

Caterpillars & Other Lepidopteran Pests

Several caterpillar species can damage capsicum crops. Important pests include:

• Helicoverpa or heliothis (Helicoverpa armigera and H. punctigera)

• Cluster caterpillar (Spodoptera litura)

• Fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda)

• Cutworms (Agrotis species) (if early management strategies are not implemented i.e. clean beds with good weed control or insecticide application prior to transplant)

• Potato tuber moth (Phthorimaea operculella)

Larvae may feed on leaves, growing tips, flowers and fruit. Helicoverpa larvae can bore directly into capsicum fruit, causing marketable yield loss and increasing the risk of secondary rots. 

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Beneficial insects include:

• Parasitic wasps & flies such as trichogramma & tachanid flies

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

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​Early detection of caterpillars is important because small larvae are generally easier to manage than established larvae concealed inside fruit.

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Good weed control, clean planting beds, removal of crop residues and management of alternative host plants can help reduce pest pressure. Refer to APVMA for registered insecticdes.  

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Thrips

Several thrips species can affect capsicum crops, including:

• Western flower thrips (Frankliniella occidentalis)

• Tomato thrips (Frankliniella schultzei)

• Onion thrips (Thrips tabaci)

• Melon thrips (Thrips palmi)

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 controlling thrips species. They can be difficult to control as adults are highly mobile and lifecycle can take under 10 days in optimal conditions. Predatory insects are available for thrip control and include:

• Pirate Bug (Orius tantillus)

• 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 Flies and Leaf Miners