Aphids

Twice a week, look in the centre of each plant where the new leaves come out. If you see chewed leaves and tiny black droppings, that's Fall Armyworm. Pull a few plants apart at the bottom — if the middle leaf is wilting and brown while others are green, that's a stem-eating worm inside. Check under leaves for tiny green or black bugs in big groups (aphids).

When the cobs start showing silk threads, those threads are how the cob makes grains. If insects eat the silks before they get pollinated, you get half-empty cobs. Check the silks twice a week — if they look chewed or covered in bugs, treat right away. Also watch for tiny bugs in groups under the leaves.

Twice a week, turn over leaves and look underneath. Tiny white flies or green/black bugs in groups = aphids/whitefly. Fine spider-web on the leaves and silver-bronze leaf colour = spider mites (worse in dry weather). Curly white winding lines on leaves = leaf miners eating inside.

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.

Twice a week, look under the leaves. Tiny insects in groups = aphids or whitefly. Silvery scars on leaves = thrips. Webbing or bronze leaves (worse in dry weather) = spider mites. White flies are the dangerous ones — they spread a yellow-vein virus.

Twice a week, turn over leaves and check underneath. Yellow then brown leaf tips = leafhoppers. Bronze/silver leaves with fine webbing = spider mites (worse in dry weather). Tiny green bugs in groups = aphids. Treat heavy infestations.

Young okra is fragile. Check every day for the first 2 weeks. Tiny holes chewed in the leaves = flea beetles. Small green/black bugs grouped under leaves = aphids. Spray neem extract early; seedlings cut at soil level wilting = damping-off, pull and burn them.

Twice a week, look at the leaves. Many small holes = flea beetles. Bugs in groups under leaves = aphids. Tiny white flies that fly up when you touch the plant are the dangerous ones — they spread the leaf-curl virus. Reflective mulch and neem help.

When flowers appear, keep checking twice a week. Whiteflies and aphids spread virus and weaken the plant. Reflective mulch under the plants confuses the flies; neem and soapy sprays knock them back.

Every 3 days while picking, check the leaves and new pods. Curled, distorted young leaves = the leaf-curl virus spread by whiteflies — pull badly affected plants out. Keep flea beetles and aphids in check with neem.