The pests affecting pepper crops will vary between Northern European and Mediterranean climate zones. Control techniques will also vary depending on crop conditions and climate, as some beneficial species which work well in Northern European climates do not work well in Mediterranean zones. Cultivar is also important: in particular, varieties tolerant of the thrips-transmitted virus disease Tomato Spotted Wilt Virus are less sensitive to thrips.
Note that some beneficial mites or insects may require licences or permits for use in some countries, and that some of the species listed below may not therefore be available.
|
Pest |
English name |
Beneficial species |
|
Frankliniella occidentalis |
Western Flower Thrips |
Amblyseius cucumeris Amblyseius swirskii Orius laevigatus Amblyseius degenerans |
|
Bemisia tabaci |
The Tobacco or Silverleaf Whitefly |
Eretmocerus eremicus Amblyseius swirskii Eretmocerus mundus Macrolophus caliginosus1 |
|
Liriomyza spp |
Leaf-miners |
Diglyphus isaea Dacnusa sibirica |
|
Tetranychus urticae |
Red Spider-mite or Two-spot Spider-mite |
Phytoseiulus persimilis Feltiella acarisuga Amblyseius andersoni Amblyseius californicus |
|
Lepidoptera |
Caterpillar |
Trichogramma brassicae Podisus maculiventris Bacillus thuringiensis |
|
Polyphagotarsonemus latus |
Broad Mite |
Amblyseius cucumeris |
|
Myzus persicae |
Peach-Potato Aphid |
Aphidius colemani Aphidoletes aphidimyza Adalia bipunctata Chrysoperla carnea |
|
Macrosiphum euphorbiae Aulacorthum solani |
Potato Aphid Glasshouse-Potato Aphid or Foxglove Aphid |
Aphidius ervi Aphidoletes aphidimyza Aphelinus abdominalis Adalia bipunctata Chrysoperla carnea |
|
Hauptidia marrocana |
Leaf Hopper |
Anagrus atomus2 |
1 Establishment of this species is very variable on pepper crops, and there are indications of competition with Aphidoletes aphidimyza.2 Not proven to give adequate control