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 Name | Plant Family | Problem/Damage | Culprit & Solution(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apple | Rosaceae/Malus genus | Worms in fruit | Apple Codling Moth |
| Artichoke | Sunflower (Asteraceae) | Holes in artichoke heads, damaged scales | Stink bug |
| Arugula | Brassica (Brassicaceae) | 1. Small sucking insects 2. Holes in leaves | 1. Aphids, 2. Cabbage worm |
| Asparagus | Asparagaceae | Yellow fern foliage, stunted spears | Asparagus beetle |
| Bean | Legumes (Fabaceae) | Stem damage | 1. Pillbugs, sowbugs 2. Slugs |
| Beet | Beet (Amaranthaceae) | 1. Leaf damage with squiggly lines or clear "windows" in leaves 2. Holes in leaves | 1. Leaf miner 2. Slugs |
| Broccoli | Brassica (Brassicaceae) | 1. Small sucking insects 2. Holes in leaves or stem damage | 1. Aphids, 2. Cabbage worm |
| Brussels sprouts | Brassica (Brassicaceae) | 1. Small sucking insects 2. Holes in leaves | 1. Aphids, 2. Cabbage worm |
| Cabbage | Brassica (Brassicaceae) | 1. Small sucking insects 2. Holes in leaves | 1. Aphids, 2. Cabbage worm |
| Calendula | Daisy (Compositae) | Chewed flower heads | Blister beetles |
| Carrot | Carrot (Apiaceae) | Scars on leaf petioles or plant crowns, yellow or wilting leaves, dead plants | Carrot weevils |
| Cauliflower | Brassica (Brassicaceae) | 1. Small sucking insects 2. Holes in leaves | 1. Aphids, 2. Cabbage worm |
| Celery | Carrot (Apiaceae) | Scars on leaf petioles or plant crowns, yellow or wilting leaves, dead plants | Carrot weevils |
| Cherry | Rosaceae/Prunus genus | Worms in fruit | Cherry fruit flies |
| Corn | Grass (Poaceae) | Worm in corn ear | Corn earworms |
| Cucumber | Cucurbits (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 |
| Eggplant | Nightshade (Solanaceae) | 1. Nibbled leaves, orange larvae, orange eggs, striped beetles 2. Yellow leaves, stunted plants | 1. Colorado potato beetle 2. Tomato-potato psyllids |
| Kale | Brassica (Brassicaceae) | 1. Small sucking insects 2. Holes in leaves | 1. Aphids, 2. Cabbage worm |
| Kohlrabi | Brassica (Brassicaceae) | 1. Small sucking insects 2. Holes in leaves | 1. Aphids, 2. Cabbage worm |
| Melon | Cucurbits (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 |
| Mustard | Brassica (Brassicaceae) | 1. Small sucking insects 2. Holes in leaves | 1. Aphids 2. Cabbage worm |
| Parsnip | Carrot (Apiaceae) | Scars on leaf petioles or plant crowns, yellow or wilting leaves, dead plants | Carrot weevils |
| Pea | Legumes (Fabaceae) | 1 and 2. Stem damage 3. Holes in pea seeds, chewed blossoms | 1. Pillbugs, sowbugs 2. Slugs 3. Pea weevils |
| Peppers | Nightshade (Solanaceae) | 1. Nibbled leaves, orange larvae, orange eggs, striped beetles 2. Yellow leaves, stunted growth | 1. Colorado potato beetle 2. Tomato-potato psyllids |
| Potato | Nightshade (Solanaceae) | 1. Nibbled leaves, orange larvae, orange eggs, striped beetles 2. Misshapen tubers, premature sprouting | 1. Colorado potato beetle 2. Tomato-potato psyllids |
| Pumpkin | Cucurbits (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 |
| Radish | Brassica (Brassicaceae) | 1. Small sucking insects 2. Holes in leaves | 1. Aphids, 2. Cabbage worm |
| Rutabaga | Brassica (Brassicaceae) | 1. Small sucking insects 2. Holes in leaves | 1. Aphids, 2. Cabbage worm |
| Spinach | Beet (Amaranthaceae) | Leaf damage with squiggly lines or clear "windows" in leaves | 1. Leaf miner 2. Slugs |
| Squash | Cucurbits (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 chard | Beet (Amaranthaceae) | Leaf damage with squiggly lines or clear "windows" in leaves | 1. Leaf miner 2. Slugs |
| Tomatillo | Nightshade (Solanaceae) | 1. Nibbled leaves, orange larvae, orange eggs, striped beetles 2. Yellow leaves; stunted plants | 1. Colorado potato beetle 2. Tomato-potato psyllids |
| Tomato | Nightshade (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 |
| Turnip | Brassica (Brassicaceae) | 1. Small sucking insects 2. Holes in leaves | 1. Aphids, 2. Cabbage worm |
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