Expert: C.L. Fornari - 6/3/2009

Question
QUESTION: Hi C.L

my 2 months old Habanero plant started develop some green small lumps (about the size of pencil lead tip).
these are covering some area of the leaf (they are on the back side of the leaf, not the upper side).
i can remove them manualy but there are too much of them on all leafs.
note: i have 2 Habanero plants, these green spots are only on one of them, the other one is clean.

i took 2 pictures, hopefuly you will be able to recognize:
http://i40.tinypic.com/18db29.jpg
http://i40.tinypic.com/2e30b9u.jpg


ANSWER: Tomer,
Thanks for the pictures - they help, but unfortunately they are a bit out of focus so I'll have to suggest a couple of options.

Are the bumps easily moved from one place to the other? Or can you squish them? If so, these are aphids. Aphids are easily dealt with either by spraying with insecticidal soap (available at hardware stores or plant stores) or by squirting a stream of water that is hard enough to knock them off. I often squish them with my fingers.

If the bumps are not moveable, then it is likely that they are small galls that have formed under the plant. This happens when an insect either pierces the cells of the developing leaves or deposits a small egg in the leaf tissues. These galls do not kill the plant and the plant will form peppers anyway.

I hope this helps,
C.L.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: thanks for the quick answer.
when i squish them, it doesnt look like a life form.
it just has some green syrup.. like a plant juice or something.

if i'll use insecticidal soap can't it poision the plant and its fruits?

Answer
If when you squash them you see "green syrup" I think that it's aphids - look with a magnifying glass (or have a child who has good eyes examine them) and see if you see legs. Insecticidal soap is just soap and not toxic - the best bug killer for edible plants.  

C.L.