pests Please Help - Angular Leaf Spot, or Pests?

Heeltoeclutch · Aug 16, 2016

Hi folks,

I am very much hoping you can help me with an issue:

I am growing eight pepper varieties; about 1.5 months ago strange holes started appearing in one or two plants. I treat and have treated weekly with Neem oil very aggressively, and more recently with vinegar/dish soap as well.

Fast forward to now, almost all my plants have these odd holes and tiny spots:

I inspect daily for pests and have found nothing, save for this today, which might be dirt?

I was certain it was some mystery pest eating holes in the leaves, until today I read about Angular Leaf Spot.

What do you guys and girls think? Please give me any suggestions you have to remedy the situation. The sprays have not helped a bit. I don't want to lose all my peppers!

Thank you!

D3monic · Aug 16, 2016

I know nothing about angular leaf spot but certainly looks like something chewing holes on them.

peppamang · Aug 16, 2016

Those black dots are probably bug shits. Probably horned worms, they're really good at camouflaging. Also, check tonight at like midnight to see if it's a nocturnal pest. Good luck.

D3monic · Aug 16, 2016

Horned worms glow under UV, these cheep flashlights on amazon can make spotting them at night super easy

https://www.amazon.com/TaoTronics-TT-FL001-Ultraviolet-Flashlight-Batteries/dp/B00RV8PREI/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1471397894&sr=8-3&keywords=uv+flashlight

moruga welder · Aug 16, 2016

WickedMojo · Aug 16, 2016

Definately looks likes like horn worms or similar pests, those little brown things are bug turds for sure.

nzchili · Aug 17, 2016

agree, pests..look like slug / snail / caterpillar damage

Heeltoeclutch · Aug 17, 2016

WickedMojo said:
Definately looks likes like horn worms or similar pests, those little brown things are bug turds for sure.

nzchili said:
agree, pests..look like slug / snail / caterpillar damage

Thanks for the responses all - i thought it might be caterpillars first but I have found nothing.

I am reading that I should look for them and handpick them off, then use ladybugs to destroy the eggs (if they are hornworms - i would hope the dame for caterpillars?)

Looks like I'll be searching the plants tonight.

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Heeltoeclutch · Aug 17, 2016

Welp you'll never guess what I found in my plants!

I have never seen such well-disguised caterpillars. They are now coursing through San Diego's fine sewer system.

I'm afraid I didn't find them all, despite looking as thoroughly as I can. I guess the next step is to get ladybugs to control the eggs?

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