Help!!......What's eating my Reapers?

DanMcG

DanMcG

Last night while shutting off the grow lights I saw something very small fly by my face. So this morning I started checking my plants one by one. It appears that something is eating my Carolina Reapers. 
 
The plants are healthy and happy, can someone tell me who's dinning on these plants? 
 
Here's some pic's of the plant and the damage.
IMG_2377.JPG

 
here is one plant, the cuts are about an 1/8" - 3/16" Underside of leaf.
IMG_2374.JPG

 
IMG_2375.JPG

 
and another plant. topside.
IMG_2379.JPG

 
all the damage so far is on the first true leaves, if that means anything.. 
I rubbed the black specks off with my fingers and have ordered some Neem and DE.
What do ya think? 
 
What are the chances that the black spots are poop from a flying pest? They're really to small for me to see what they are, cause the 30x loop  I've had right next to the plants is somehow missing. got a new one ordered along with some sticky traps.
 
 
Hmmm...  Would need more information, but my first guess is nothing is eating your plants and you may have the beginnings of fungus gnats (small flying thing).  Both that type of leaf tissue necrosis and fungus gnats can result from the soil staying too moist.  The last hole in the picture doesn't quite fit this profile, but if you rubbed it that would explain the different appearance.  Just something to consider.
 
Thanks for the insight CaneDog, I'll research fugus gnats, and keep my eye on it. I can't believe the soil is to moist, I water about once a week from the bottom, and the surface is dry to the touch. 
 
Jeez, Dan, my first thought was it was nothing serious because things happen with old leaves, but the new damage looks pretty ugly and when I go back to the first photos the black specs could potentially be feces.  I still am hesitant to think it's pests (often there are more signs of the pests and often the damage is easier to ID), though if it is it seems there's more happening than just that. The plants look very healthy otherwise. Since it's only the original leaves, have you considered removing the affected leaves in case that might prevent spreading? I've been looking at the symptoms and kicking ideas around in my head and trying to logic this out, but I'm at a loss.  And yeah, that does look like it could be fungal, but I wouldn't rule out other possible causes.
 
Well what ever it was, it seems to have stopped progressing. I used a 1:5 ratio of 3% h2o2 to water and applied it with a Qtip to the affected area's and although the areas aren't very pretty, the plants seem to be doing great. Thanks for the help people.
 
reapers at 6week.JPG
 
You may want to just take a look at them every 3-4 days. The urge to "do stuff" seems to be running strong with you. :D

There is no cause for alarm. I agree with the assessment of mechanical damage. Even more likely the leaf tips were wet when sad damage occurred. Plants grown indoors are more succulent, fragile, and damaged easier, than outdoor. (hence, "hardening off")
 
If they are inside, that eliminates some critter influence.  I have mine outside, and I have gray squirrels digging for whatever in my pots every day. with the younger plants, they sometimes dig the whole thing out looking for the grub that will never be.  A solution that has worked well for me is putting hair (cut) clippings in each pot.  I am just running out of hair.
 
Good Luck!
 
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