Cutworms are the larvae of several species of night-flying moths (Order Lepidoptera, family Noctuidae). Cutworms are a common pest of many vegetable crops including carrots, celery, lettuce, onion, tomato, pepper, eggplant, cole crops, rutabaga, beans, cucurbit crops, sweet corn and several others.
What is the major pest of eggplant?
eggplant flea beetle
Eggplant – a solanaceous crop – has some of the same pests as pepper, potato, and tomato. The eggplant flea beetle and the eggplant lace bug are common pests, but twospotted spider mites can be more damaging.
Why do my eggplants have worms?
Pepper maggot, Zonosemata electa. These maggots may also feed in the fruits of eggplant. The maggots of these barred-wing flies infest the fruits of peppers, causing them to decay, and in eggplants, resulting in tunneling within the fruit.
What is eating the leaves of my eggplant?
Aphids and whiteflies both have piercing, sucking mouthparts used to suck the sap out of eggplant leaves and stems. Both pests are primarily found on the undersides of the leaves. As they feed, they secrete a sticky waste known as honeydew.
What time of year are cutworms most active?
Cutworms are most active and cause the most damage during spring and early summer months. The larvae normally hide under debris on the soil surface during the day, but are active, voracious feeders at night.
What is putting holes in my eggplant?
The tiny holes are likely due to flea beetles. Flea beetles are the most common pest of eggplant in the home garden. Adults are tiny, shiny, black beetles. They possess large hind legs that enable them to jump.
What’s eating my eggplant fruit?
The types of animals that can devastate your eggplant crops are the usual suspects like rabbits, squirrels, deer, rats and raccoons. We’ll investigate all these suspects in depth below, including methods for preventing them from striking again.
How do I stop eggplant pests?
To prevent eggplant bugs, it may also help to keep weeds and other debris to a minimum and rotate crops every other year or so. Introducing natural predators, such as ladybugs, often helps minimize eggplant problems associated with aphids.
What do you spray on eggplant leaves?
My eggplants’ new leaves are being eaten by flea beetles. What is the best organic control method? Spray with a botanical insecticide, like neem or pyrethrum, or dust with diatomaceous earth. A dusting of screened wood ash will disrupt feeding, though it must be reapplied after rain.
Should I prune my eggplants?
ANSWER: Eggplants, like fellow nightshade family member tomatoes benefit from staking and pruning. In fact, eggplant actually produces more fruit when pruned. Pruning eggplant can also improve the fruit quality of the plant, and decrease the plant’s susceptibility to disease.
What is a good companion plant for eggplant?
Nightshades: Other members of the nightshade family, like tomatoes, peppers, and potatoes, make good companions for eggplants because they share similar growing requirements.
What is a natural predator of cutworms?
Natural enemies of cutworms include predators such as ground beetles, rove beetles, spiders, wasps, toads, parasitic nematodes and birds.
What plants deter cutworms?
The Best Plants That Repel Cutworms 2022 [Updated]
- 1.2.1 1) Tansy (Tanacetum vulgare)
- 1.2.2 2) Dalmatian chrysanthemum (Chrysanthemum cinerariifolium)
- 1.2.3 3) Sage (Salvia officinalis)
- 1.2. 4 4) Thyme (Thymus spp.)
How do you prevent cutworms?
Use a barrier to keep cutworms out
Place aluminum foil or cardboard collars around transplants. This creates a barrier that stops cutworm larvae from feeding on plants. Place the collars around plants such that one end is pushed a few inches into the soil, and the other end extends several inches above ground.
Do caterpillars eat eggplant?
A wide variety of bugs and insects including aphids, mites, beetles, and caterpillars all love to eat eggplants. Damage may show on the stems, leaves, and fruits while serving as an entry point for rot and disease to negatively impact your crop.
Do slugs eat eggplant?
Slugs and Snails
Two additional garden foes of the eggplant are snails and slugs.
What’s eating my eggplant flowers?
Thrips, flea beetles, cutworms, armyworms, aphids, and white flies can also find food in maturing eggplant plants. The treatment for such insects is usually very simple and can be cured in reasonable time. Following standard organic guides for the elimination of these pests will work effectively.
Why are the leaves on my eggplant turning yellow?
If your eggplants aren’t receiving enough water during their growing season, they will begin to show signs of stress, like yellowing leaves. A solution to this issue is ensuring your eggplants receive enough water throughout the season. Monitor the soil moisture and ensure watering at least twice a week.
Why are my eggplant leaves falling off?
Eggplant Blossoms Drying Out from Lack of Water
When an eggplant plant is stressed, its blossoms will dry up and drop off without producing fruit. The most common reason a eggplant gets stressed is due to a lack of water. Your eggplant needs at least 2 inches (5 cm.) of water a week, more in very hot weather.
Is Neem oil good for eggplant?
Hardier plants such as eggplant, kale, okra, pepper, and tomato plants will stand up just fine under repeated neem oil sprays.
What does an overwatered eggplant look like?
An overwatered eggplant will also show symptoms of this problem on its leaves. Look for leaves that feel wet, soft, and limp. More symptoms of overwatering include premature leaf drop of new growth and soft, brown, or mushy roots that prevent the plant from taking water, causing leaf curl and wilting.