Solutions by Crop Name

To learn more about the insects that affect vegetables and fruits, look for the name of the crop below. Each listing will take you to detailed information about the problem and how to deal with it. I've listed the plant family for each crop as insect problems are frequently seen in members of the same family.
Crop NamePlant FamilyProblem/DamageCulprit & Solution(s)
AppleRosaceae/Malus genusWorms in fruitApple Codling Moth
ArtichokeSunflower (Asteraceae)Holes in artichoke heads, damaged scalesStink bug
ArugulaBrassica (Brassicaceae)1. Small sucking insects
2. Holes in leaves
1. Aphids,
2. Cabbage worm
AsparagusAsparagaceaeYellow fern foliage, stunted spearsAsparagus beetle
BeanLegumes (Fabaceae)Stem damage1. Pillbugs, sowbugs
2. Slugs
BeetBeet (Amaranthaceae)1. Leaf damage with squiggly lines or clear "windows" in leaves
2. Holes in leaves
1. Leaf miner
2. Slugs
BroccoliBrassica (Brassicaceae)1. Small sucking insects
2. Holes in leaves or stem damage
1. Aphids,
2. Cabbage worm
Brussels sproutsBrassica (Brassicaceae)1. Small sucking insects
2. Holes in leaves
1. Aphids,
2. Cabbage worm
CabbageBrassica (Brassicaceae)1. Small sucking insects
2. Holes in leaves
1. Aphids,
2. Cabbage worm
CalendulaDaisy (Compositae)Chewed flower headsBlister beetles
CarrotCarrot (Apiaceae)Scars on leaf petioles or plant crowns, yellow or wilting leaves, dead plantsCarrot weevils
CauliflowerBrassica (Brassicaceae)1. Small sucking insects
2. Holes in leaves
1. Aphids,
2. Cabbage worm
CeleryCarrot (Apiaceae)Scars on leaf petioles or plant crowns, yellow or wilting leaves, dead plantsCarrot weevils
CherryRosaceae/Prunus genusWorms in fruitCherry fruit flies
CornGrass (Poaceae)Worm in corn earCorn earworms
CucumberCucurbits (Cucurbitaceae)1. Stem damage on young seedlings
2. Yellow spots on leaves, wilting leaves
3. Round holes in the growing tips of vines and/or blossoms; holes in fruits with frass at the entrance; fruits drop off the vines prematurely; deformed fruits; scarred melon rinds
1. Pillbugs, sowbugs
2. Squash bugs
3. Pickleworms
EggplantNightshade (Solanaceae)1. Nibbled leaves, orange larvae, orange eggs, striped beetles
2. Yellow leaves, stunted plants
1. Colorado potato beetle
2. Tomato-potato psyllids
KaleBrassica (Brassicaceae)1. Small sucking insects
2. Holes in leaves
1. Aphids,
2. Cabbage worm
KohlrabiBrassica (Brassicaceae)1. Small sucking insects
2. Holes in leaves
1. Aphids,
2. Cabbage worm
MelonCucurbits (Cucurbitaceae)1 and 2. Stem damage on young seedlings
3. Yellow spots on leaves, wilting leaves
4. Round holes in the growing tips of vines and/or blossoms; holes in fruits with frass at the entrance; fruits drop off the vines prematurely; deformed fruits; scarred melon rinds
1. Cutworm
2. Pillbugs, sowbugs
3. Squash bugs
4. Pickleworms
MustardBrassica (Brassicaceae)1. Small sucking insects
2. Holes in leaves
1. Aphids
2. Cabbage worm
ParsnipCarrot (Apiaceae)Scars on leaf petioles or plant crowns, yellow or wilting leaves, dead plantsCarrot weevils
PeaLegumes (Fabaceae)1 and 2. Stem damage
3. Holes in pea seeds, chewed blossoms
1. Pillbugs, sowbugs
2. Slugs
3. Pea weevils
PeppersNightshade (Solanaceae)1. Nibbled leaves, orange larvae, orange eggs, striped beetles
2. Yellow leaves, stunted growth
1. Colorado potato beetle
2. Tomato-potato psyllids
PotatoNightshade (Solanaceae)1. Nibbled leaves, orange larvae, orange eggs, striped beetles
2. Misshapen tubers, premature sprouting
1. Colorado potato beetle
2. Tomato-potato psyllids
PumpkinCucurbits (Cucurbitaceae)1 and 2. Stem damage on young seedlings
3. Yellow spots on leaves, wilting leaves
4. Round holes in the growing tips of vines and/or blossoms; holes in fruits with frass at the entrance; fruits drop off the vines prematurely; deformed fruits; scarred melon rinds
1. Cutworm
2. Pillbugs, sowbugs
3. Squash bugs
4. Pickleworms
RadishBrassica (Brassicaceae)1. Small sucking insects
2. Holes in leaves
1. Aphids,
2. Cabbage worm
RutabagaBrassica (Brassicaceae)1. Small sucking insects
2. Holes in leaves
1. Aphids,
2. Cabbage worm
SpinachBeet (Amaranthaceae)Leaf damage with squiggly lines or clear "windows" in leaves1. Leaf miner
2. Slugs
SquashCucurbits (Cucurbitaceae)1 and 2. Stem damage on young seedlings
3. Yellow spots on leaves, wilting leaves
4. Round holes in the growing tips of vines and/or blossoms; holes in fruits with frass at the entrance; fruits drop off the vines prematurely; deformed fruits; scarred melon rinds
1. Cutworm
2. Pillbugs, sowbugs
3. Squash bugs
4. Pickleworms
Swiss chardBeet (Amaranthaceae)Leaf damage with squiggly lines or clear "windows" in leaves1. Leaf miner
2. Slugs
TomatilloNightshade (Solanaceae)1. Nibbled leaves, orange larvae, orange eggs, striped beetles
2. Yellow leaves; stunted plants
1. Colorado potato beetle
2. Tomato-potato psyllids
TomatoNightshade (Solanaceae)1. Nibbled leaves, orange larvae, orange eggs, striped beetles
2. Nibbled leaves, stems, fruit
3. Gold marks on fruit
4. Yellow leaves, stunted plants, undersized fruits
1. Colorado potato beetle
2. Tomato hornworm
3. Stink bugs
4. Tomato-potato psyllids
TurnipBrassica (Brassicaceae)1. Small sucking insects
2. Holes in leaves
1. Aphids,
2. Cabbage worm

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