What's eating my habanero?

Habaneros are vulnerable to the same pests as all Capsicum: aphids top the list, transmitting mosaic viruses. Thrips cause silver scarring on the distinctive thin-walled fruit. Spider mites flare during hot dry spells. In outdoor beds, pepper weevils bore into pods. Consistent scouting is the best defence.

Curled, sticky new growth; mosaic virus symptoms (mottling, distortion); honeydew promoting sooty mould Reflective mulch to deter alates; insecticidal soap; attract beneficial insects; remove badly infested shoots

Silver streaks and corky scarring on developing habanero pods; distorted new leaves Blue sticky traps; spinosad; remove weeds that harbour thrips between crops; predatory mite releases

Fine pale stippling on leaves; bronze discolouration; fine webbing on undersides in hot dry conditions Increase irrigation and humidity; forceful water sprays; neem oil or insecticidal soap; predatory mites (Phytoseiulus persimilis)

Punctures in fruit where eggs are laid; larvae feed inside young pods causing them to drop Hand-collect dropped pods and destroy; spinosad spray; rotate peppers to new beds each season