The pepper is a summer crop, it is more susceptible to pests and diseases, since the cycles of reproduction, specifically for pests are very high. Because it is a food belonging to the Solanaceae family, it has many pests and diseases in common with tomatoes. Here we analyze one by one the different pests and diseases of the pepper and offer solutions to each of them.

PIMIENT DISEASES

BOTRYTIS:
Also known as gray rot, this pepper disease affects the leaves, flowers and stems of the plant where brown spots appear that are no more than the gray mycelium of the fungus. In the case of the fruits the rot that is produced is watery causing its softening.

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THE OID:
As with Botrytis, the presence of this fungus is perceived by the appearance of a mycelium in this case white on the leaves. If the attack spreads, it causes the leaves to dry and detach, causing the fruits to be exposed directly to the sun and, therefore, susceptible to sunburn.

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THE SADNESS OF PEPPER:
This disease can attack the plant in any vegetative state. Start your attack at the level of the neck causing a dark spot that is spreading throughout the stem. It can also affect the roots. This disease causes very important damage, since it causes the wilting and death of the plant without there being a previous yellowing of it, so it is quite difficult to detect the disease.

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BACTERIAL SCABIES:
It is a disease that is transmitted by the seed progressively consuming the skin of the plant generating hollow areas along the fruit. Standing water on the roots or on the same fruit is the main breeding ground for this disease, so we must take special care in this regard.

PESTS OF PEPPER

WHITE SPIDER (POLYPHAGOTARSONEMUS LATUS):
The adults are small, round and yellowish in color. Damage occurs when the white spider of the plant is fed. They stick a stiletto where they suck the juices. As a result of this suction the leaves are rolled and the stems generate low leaf density.

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DAMAGE:

Produced by larvae and adults when feeding.

When nailing the stylet they extract the cellular juices producing deformations in the affected organs.

The plant shows a curl in the terminal part and the stems show little foliage.

It is a plague that develops in foci, which is why it is important to perform an early detection.

PREVENTIVE / CULTURAL MEASURES:

Avoid dispersion through cultural operations.

In plots with previous problems of this pest, special care will be taken in its detection.

It is a pest that develops in foci, which is why early detection is important.

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THE PULGONES:
This enemy present in many types of crops can cause significant damage to the pepper, as it feeds on the vegetable matter of this. Aphids (Myzus persicae): the aphids cause damage to the plant by sticking their stiletto and feeding on plant material. This suction causes widespread weakening of the plant and a progressive yellowing that ends up necrotic. Its diagnosis is easier when you see a molasses (sap remains) on the leaf, assuming an attraction for the arrival of diseases such as "bold".

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DAMAGE:

DIRECT

Caused by sticking the stylet into the tissues to feed.

They absorb the sap of the plant producing a generalized weakening, reduction of the growth and yellowing of the plant.

Aulacorthum solani injects into the plant with saliva a toxin that causes deformations and discolorations on the new leaves of the plants.

INDIRECT

When the aphid feeds, the sap that does not take advantage of it comes out in the form of molasses that serves as support for the "bold", which reduces the process of photosynthesis and depreciates the fruits.

Myzus persicae transmits the Y potato virus (PVY) and the cucumber mosaic virus (CMV).

PREVENTIVE / CULTURAL MEASURES:

Use of yellow chromatic traps (monitoring and control).

Monitor the existing weeds around the crop, especially the grasses, dandelion, bindweed.

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LOS TRIPS Frankliniella occidentalis):
They are elongated insects of brown color that measure about 1-2 mm, and like aphids, they feed on the sap of the plant and, therefore, weaken it. Pepper thrips can be especially dangerous because they can transmit the TSWV virus, also known as tomato tanning. These insects suck the plant material. The area where it has been suctioned presents a silvery coloration and with necrose time.

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DAMAGE:

DIRECT
By chopping the tissues and sucking the content of plant cells, the affected area first acquires a silver color and subsequently dies.

When the female places the eggs inside the plant tissues, it causes small wounds that dry the affected area.

INDIRECT

Frankliniella occidentalis transmits tomato tanning virus (TSWV). It manifests in the form of circular spots with tissue death, both in leaves, flowers and fruits. Subsequently, the plants stop growing, lose their natural color and deform.

The magnitude of the damage can vary between loss of yield until total destruction of the crop.

PREVENTIVE / CULTURAL MEASURES:

Do not associate crops in the same plot.

Remove weeds and crop remains as they can act as reservoirs of the pest.

In greenhouses, place meshes (minimum 10 x 20 threads / cm²) in the lateral openings, zeniths and doors, monitoring
and controlling the state of the same.

Blue chromotropic traps

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THE WHITE FLY (Bemisia tabaci):
This parasite attacks through the females, which deposit their eggs on the underside of the leaves. When the whitefly larvae are born, they feed by sucking the sap from the plant, which weakens the crop causing general wilting. The whitefly can be detected, as well as looking at the underside of the leaves, looking at whether the plant has white or lighter spheres than the usual green.

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DAMAGE:

DIRECT

Suction of the sap of the plant by adults and larvae, causing weakening of the plant and even with numerous populations of wilting leaves.

INDIRECT

When the fly feeds, the sap that does not take advantage of it comes out in the form of molasses that serves as a support for the "bold" in leaves and fruits. The formed layer reduces photosynthesis and respiration producing weakening of the plant.

PREVENTIVE / CULTURAL MEASURES:

Use of yellow chromatic traps (monitoring and control).

Use of suitable enclosures (meshes, double doors, etc.) to prevent entry of the pest from outside.

Do not associate crops in the same plot.

Remove weeds and crop remains as they can act as reservoirs of the pest.

Perform periodic cleaning prunings.

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LA HELIOTHIS:
A caterpillar of greenish or orange color is the cause of this pest that causes important damages in the crop due to the bites that the larvae provoke as much in the stem as in the fruits. As this pest directly affects the fruit, it can cause significant losses in the crop.

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DAMAGE:

DIRECT

Plague also very important also in many other crops such as corn, cotton, and many other horticultural species.

The damage to the plants is caused by the larva attacking the foliage, but mainly it attacks the green fruits in development, leaving circular cavities, usually near the peduncle.

INDIRECT

Remains of food and feces produced by the caterpillars during feeding serve as a substrate for the development of fungi that produce different rots.

PREVENTIVE / CULTURAL MEASURES:

Elimination of damaged fruits.

Use of traps with specific pheromone.

Elimination of weeds.

In the greenhouses, have good enclosures.

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THE RED SPIDER (Tetranychus urticae):
This insect is the enemy of many types of crops, including pepper. The adults of red spider are those that cause the damage in the plant, since they suck the cellular juices of this one preventing their optimal development. Their presence is appreciated because they stain the affected tissue of a reddish color that over time becomes necrotic. In addition, in very advanced stages of the plague will be seen a spider web throughout the plant.

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DAMAGE:

Caused by spider bites when feeding.

They absorb cellular juices producing a yellow coloration in the affected tissue that turns brown over time.

The populations are located on the underside of the leaves, appearing in the beam reddened areas.

With very serious attacks, the plant stops its growth and appears covered with a dense spider's web.

PREVENTIVE / CULTURAL MEASURES:

Avoid dispersion through cultural operations.

It is a plague that develops in foci, which is why it is important to perform an early detection.

Elimination of weeds.

SOURCE:
http://www.certisagrosostenible.es/plagas-y-enfermedades-del-pimiento/
https://www.agromatica.es/plagas-y-enfermedades-del-pimiento/

I hope this article helps you to identify the pests and diseases of pepper.