[fatbelly]

Hi All, I have some bugs on my pepper plants which are in the greenhouse. The leaves have gone all sticky and I can see loads of tiny  bug's all over and on the soil. They have also moved to my Tom's. Any ideas what they are and how to get rid?  Here's a link to a photo     


https://www.dropbox.com/s/0abmdxb5g5t37kh/20150621_121843.jpg?dl=0

[Snoop]

That's a shame.

Does this look like a possible culprit?

http://www.bbc.co.uk/gardening/advice/pests_and_diseases/identifier.shtml?whiteflies

Most whitefly and greenfly like to lurk under leaves and what you get on the leaf surface is a 'cast' of their skin. Does that look to be your case?

[fatbelly]

Thanks for the reply. The leaves are covered with a sticky substance. Does this help in the diagnosis?

[Snoop]

Aphids leave a sticky substance on leaves known as honeydew. As well as the damage done by the aphids themselves, the honeydew can also lead to sooty mould.

You could try spraying the plants with a solution of washing-up liquid and water, if you consider that an organic option, or squishing the aphids in your fingers if that's feasible. Neem oil is also said to work. The only problem is that you will need to keep repeating the treatment to ensure you get rid of the as-yet unborn. Whitefly are especially difficult to get rid of as they fly off at the slightest threat. You can put up sticky paper traps around the greenhouse to catch them (lots of websites list such things or you can make your own: Google for whitefly sticky paper traps). The plants would also benefit from a gentle washing of the leaves to get rid of the honeydew.

Good luck. 

[compostqueen]

The honeydew caused sooty mould to spread in my greenhouse over winter and made a right mess which was a job and a half to tackle.  Mine seemed to be coming from overhanging trees which we've now sorted out and this year things have improved

[Headgardener22]

I would suggest its "just" greenfly. The white things are dead ones and the sticky stuff is honeydew (which can cause sooty mould as said). Look underneath the leaves and squash everything you see then wash the plants over with a jet of water from a sprayer.

[sunshineband]

I would suggest its "just" greenfly. The white things are dead ones and the sticky stuff is honeydew (which can cause sooty mould as said). Look underneath the leaves and squash everything you see then wash the plants over with a jet of water from a sprayer.

If it is greenfly then the newly growing leaves might be slightly distorted too. Once you have dealt with them, new leaves will grow through normally

[Dr_Pepper]

That's the peach-potato aphid (Myzus persicae). Something soapy is the best way to go on those, or if you feel like spending £15 you could clear them up biologically http://www.defenders.co.uk/catalog/index.php/cPath/21?osCsid=fn89qlpasgtvu8vkmmk81s67p2

That aphid attacks a wide variety of crops and can spread viruses to other crops like potatoes, tomatoes etc.

If it's any consolation I have been trying to get them under control in a commercial pepper crop for a month now