Pest identification
What's eating my 'california wonder' bell pepper?
Aphids (Myzus persicae and others)
Signs: Dense colonies on shoot tips; honeydew; spread pepper mottle and cucumber mosaic viruses.
Control: Insecticidal soap; reflective silver mulch deters winged aphids; parasitic wasps (Aphidius spp.) as biocontrol.
European corn borer (Ostrinia nubilalis)
Signs: Larvae bore into pepper fruit, leaving entry holes and internal frass; fruit rots from within.
Control: Bt kurstaki spray at early flower set; pheromone traps to time applications; destroy crop debris after harvest.
Flea beetle (Epitrix spp.)
Signs: Shot-holes in leaves of young transplants; can check establishment in early season.
Control: Row covers for 3–4 weeks post-transplant; kaolin clay spray; spinosad for heavy infestations.
Pepper maggot (Zonosemata electa)
Signs: Fly larvae tunnel inside ripening fruit; first sign is a small sting on fruit skin; internal decay.
Control: Yellow sphere traps baited with ammonium acetate to monitor adults; protect with row covers; destroy infested fruit.
Keep 'california wonder' bell pepper pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
- What eats pepper — the species this cultivar belongs to
- What's wrong with my plant? — the diagnosis apps compared
- Common 'california wonder' bell pepper problems & fixes
- 'California Wonder' Bell Pepper watering schedule
- 'California Wonder' Bell Pepper light requirements
- Full 'california wonder' bell pepper care guide
'California Wonder' Bell Pepper pests — FAQ
What is eating my 'california wonder' bell pepper?
'California Wonder' bell pepper is susceptible to aphids, which are its most consistent pest, along with European corn borer larvae boring into fruits and pepper maggot in North America. Flea beetles damage young transplants. The large, sweet fruits also attract birds and earwigs. Row covers early and vigilant scouting protect yield significantly.
How do I get rid of aphids (myzus persicae and others) on 'california wonder' bell pepper?
Dense colonies on shoot tips; honeydew; spread pepper mottle and cucumber mosaic viruses. Insecticidal soap; reflective silver mulch deters winged aphids; parasitic wasps (Aphidius spp.) as biocontrol.
How do I get rid of european corn borer (ostrinia nubilalis) on 'california wonder' bell pepper?
Larvae bore into pepper fruit, leaving entry holes and internal frass; fruit rots from within. Bt kurstaki spray at early flower set; pheromone traps to time applications; destroy crop debris after harvest.
How do I get rid of flea beetle (epitrix spp.) on 'california wonder' bell pepper?
Shot-holes in leaves of young transplants; can check establishment in early season. Row covers for 3–4 weeks post-transplant; kaolin clay spray; spinosad for heavy infestations.
How do I get rid of pepper maggot (zonosemata electa) on 'california wonder' bell pepper?
Fly larvae tunnel inside ripening fruit; first sign is a small sting on fruit skin; internal decay. Yellow sphere traps baited with ammonium acetate to monitor adults; protect with row covers; destroy infested fruit.