Allotment Gardening Advice Help Chat

Growing => Grow Your Own => Topic started by: Oh Watt on August 09, 2019, 09:31

Title: Pepper Maggots?
Post by: Oh Watt on August 09, 2019, 09:31

Hi All
Are these pepper maggots in my greenhouse chillis.  Searching seems to say that they are a pest only in the US.  They don't really look like the photos I found of them either, so maybe something else Corn Borer?

Thanks.

Title: Re: Pepper Maggots?
Post by: Goosegirl on August 09, 2019, 14:57

I don't grow chilli peppers and can't tell if the pic of the inside is showing anything there, but could it be from the sun shining on drops of water on the skins?

Title: Re: Pepper Maggots?
Post by: JayG on August 09, 2019, 16:56

This old forum thread might provide some clues:

https://chat.allotment-garden.org/index.php?topic=116272.msg1344956#msg1344956

Title: Re: Pepper Maggots?
Post by: Pescador on August 09, 2019, 18:26

The photo of the inside clearly shows larvae and pupae. They look remarkably like housefly/bluebottle larvae/pupae, what size are they? They could possibly have entered via that damaged skin that can be seen.

Title: Re: Pepper Maggots?
Post by: Oh Watt on August 09, 2019, 19:21

They are about 5-7 mm

I did a little more research they look kind of  like   attached european corn borer pic. I  don't think pepper maggots as they are too  dark colour.

I'd looked at that old thread before posting , but  I  did not find any evidence of pepper maggots  actually in UK despite the suggestion.

I think I'll go with ECB ( apparently also a big pepper pest)  unless anyone has  any better  suggestions. I have some corn too , but not seeing any issues there.