Cutworm

Walk the field every 3–4 days. Look at the young leaves — if they have ragged holes or look chewed, you have caterpillars. Bend down and check the base of each plant: small black pellets (looks like coarse pepper) means Fall Armyworm has been there. If more than 1 in 5 plants is damaged, spray with a recommended pesticide that evening.

Check the seedlings every day for the first 2 weeks. Plants cut off at the base = cutworms come out at night. Plants wilting at soil level = a soil disease (damping-off) — pull and burn them. Tiny white flies under the leaves carry a bad virus that yellows and curls leaves; treat fast.

Young pepper is very fragile. Check every day for the first 2 weeks. Plants cut off at the base = cutworms (treat the soil). Plants wilting at soil level = a fungal disease — pull and burn them. Tiny green/black bugs in groups under leaves = aphids; they carry viruses, treat fast.

Look at the seedlings every day for the first 10 days. Plants cut at the base = cutworms (active at night). Tiny insect tunnels into stems near the soil with yellowing/wilting = bean fly — treat fast or replant. Once seedlings are damaged, recovery is hard.