🐛 Pest ID Guide

🔍 Identification

• Tiny (1-3mm) soft-bodied insects
• Green, black, yellow, or white color
• Cluster on new growth and undersides of leaves
• Sticky honeydew residue on leaves

🌱 Plants Affected

Almost all vegetables, especially tomatoes, peppers, cabbage, beans

⚠️ Damage

• Curled, distorted leaves
• Stunted growth
• Spread viral diseases
• Attract ants

🔍 Identification

• Microscopic (0.5mm) – barely visible
• Red, yellow, or green color
• Fine webbing on leaves
• Thrive in hot, dry conditions

🌱 Plants Affected

Tomatoes, beans, cucumbers, strawberries, ornamentals

⚠️ Damage

• Yellow stippling on leaves
• Leaves turn bronze/brown
• Severe defoliation
• Plant death if untreated

🔍 Identification

• Tiny white flying insects (1-2mm)
• Congregate on leaf undersides
• Fly up in cloud when disturbed
• Sticky honeydew present

🌱 Plants Affected

Tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, squash, ornamentals

⚠️ Damage

• Yellowing leaves
• Stunted growth
• Sooty mold on honeydew
• Spread plant viruses

🔍 Identification

• Green, brown, or striped worms
• Various sizes (1-5cm)
• Visible on plants or soil
• Dark frass (droppings) present

🌱 Plants Affected

Cabbage family, tomatoes, peppers, corn, most vegetables

⚠️ Damage

• Large holes in leaves
• Entire leaves consumed
• Bore into fruits
• Can defoliate plants quickly

🔍 Identification

• Soft-bodied molluscs (1-8cm)
• Snails have shells, slugs don’t
• Silver slime trails visible
• Most active at night

🌱 Plants Affected

Lettuce, hostas, seedlings, strawberries, tender plants

⚠️ Damage

• Irregular holes in leaves
• Seedlings disappear overnight
• Slime trails on plants/ground
• Ragged leaf edges

🔍 Identification

• Metallic green/copper beetles (1cm)
• White tufts on sides
• Feed in groups during day
• Active June-August

🌱 Plants Affected

Roses, grapes, beans, raspberries, over 300 species

⚠️ Damage

• Skeletonized leaves (veins remain)
• Damaged flowers and fruits
• Heavy defoliation
• Attract more beetles

🔍 Identification

• White powdery coating on leaves
• Starts as small spots
• Spreads to cover entire leaf
• Thrives in humid conditions

🌱 Plants Affected

Squash, cucumbers, melons, roses, peas, beans

⚠️ Damage

• Reduced photosynthesis
• Yellowing leaves
• Stunted growth
• Premature leaf drop

🔍 Identification

• Large (7-10cm) green caterpillar
• White diagonal stripes
• Red/black horn on rear
• Excellent camouflage

🌱 Plants Affected

Tomatoes, peppers, eggplants, potatoes (nightshade family)

⚠️ Damage

• Defoliates plants rapidly
• Eats entire leaves and stems
• Damages fruits
• Large dark droppings

🔍 Identification

• Cleanly cut stems at 45° angle
• Plants eaten to ground level
• Small round droppings present
• Active dawn and dusk

🌱 Plants Affected

Lettuce, peas, beans, carrots, flowers, young plants

⚠️ Damage

• Seedlings disappear overnight
• Clean cuts on stems
• Entire rows eaten
• Bark stripped from trees

🔍 Identification

• Ragged, torn edges (no upper teeth)
• Browse line at 4-6 feet
• Hoof prints visible
• Active at dawn/dusk

🌱 Plants Affected

Hostas, tulips, beans, lettuce, roses, fruit trees

⚠️ Damage

• Entire plants consumed
• Trampled garden beds
• Stripped tree bark
• Can destroy garden overnight

🔍 Identification

• White larvae inside stems
• Sawdust-like frass at base
• Red/black adult moth
• Sudden plant wilting

🌱 Plants Affected

Squash, zucchini, pumpkins, cucumbers, melons

⚠️ Damage

• Sudden wilting of vines
• Hollow stems
• Plant death
• Reduced harvest

🔍 Identification

• Gray/brown caterpillars (2-4cm)
• Curl into C-shape when disturbed
• Found in soil near plants
• Active at night

🌱 Plants Affected

All seedlings, young transplants, especially tomatoes

⚠️ Damage

• Stems cut at soil level
• Seedlings topple over
• Found lying next to cut stem
• Attack at night