What's eating my aji amarillo pepper?

Aji Amarillo peppers are most troubled by aphids, which cluster on growing tips and vector pepper viruses. Spider mites thrive in hot, dry spells. Pepper maggot and corn borer larvae tunnel fruits; flea beetles pit young leaves. In garden beds, slugs attack seedlings and deer browse stressed plants. Strong airflow, well-spaced planting, and early monitoring prevent most outbreaks.

Dense colonies on shoot tips cause curled, sticky leaves; they vector cucumber mosaic virus and pepper mottle virus, causing mosaic and yield loss Knock off with water jet; insecticidal soap or neem oil spray; introduce parasitic wasps (Aphidius spp.) in greenhouse settings

Fine stippling and bronzing of leaves; webbing on undersides in dry, hot weather; severe cases cause leaf drop Increase humidity; spray with forceful water; apply predatory mites (Phytoseiulus persimilis); neem oil or insecticidal soap

Larvae bore into pepper stems and developing fruits leaving entry holes and frass; fruits rot from inside Apply Bt kurstaki at egg hatch (early instar); remove infested fruits immediately; pheromone traps to time sprays

Tiny round shot-holes across leaves of seedlings and young transplants; severe on stressed plants in sunny beds Row covers on transplants; diatomaceous earth around bases; spinosad spray when holes appear on young foliage