Mystery pepper plant nipper

[RebelRidin]

I have a mystery pest nipping (and eating or taking with them) the tops out of my young peppers. Whatever it is seems to have a preference for Corno del Toro and Sweet Bananna. They have left my Jalapenos, Habaneros, West Allis Half Sharps, Lipstick and Cal Wonders alone.

Eight plants have been hit, twice now, in the same locations. It's bizarre to me that whatever it is, hits the plants in the same positions in the beds. My garden is fenced against rabbits (not sure they would jump up a foot to get on top of the beds anyway, at least not for the top of a pepper plant.), deer don't come in the yard (if they had gotten in I would expect them to do alot more damage), I can't imagine that our cats, racoons or opossums would care for them...

I'm wondering if some bird (mockingbird maybe) is building a birds nest with the tops? Anyone else seen anything similar?

I still have replacements but will wait to do anything until the weekend as I am going to have to put some cages/stakes and row cover over all the peppers. I just hope when I do that this pest doesn't turn it's attention to the toms

[2buggedout]

Could you post a picture of the damage? It would help us to identify the cause.

[RebelRidin]

I can now add three Jalapenos to the mystery

[KarenO]

birds, crows for example, will do that.
KO

[Farmette]

Originally Posted by RebelRidin

I have a mystery pest nipping (and eating or taking with them) the tops out of my young peppers. Whatever it is seems to have a preference for Corno del Toro and Sweet Bananna. They have left my Jalapenos, Habaneros, West Allis Half Sharps, Lipstick and Cal Wonders alone.

Eight plants have been hit, twice now, in the same locations. It's bizarre to me that whatever it is, hits the plants in the same positions in the beds. My garden is fenced against rabbits (not sure they would jump up a foot to get on top of the beds anyway, at least not for the top of a pepper plant.), deer don't come in the yard (if they had gotten in I would expect them to do alot more damage), I can't imagine that our cats, racoons or opossums would care for them...

I'm wondering if some bird (mockingbird maybe) is building a birds nest with the tops? Anyone else seen anything similar?

I still have replacements but will wait to do anything until the weekend as I am
going to have to put some cages/stakes and row cover over all the peppers. I just hope when I do that this pest doesn't turn it's attention to the toms

My cat's favorite vegetables are pepper plant leaves...it doesn't matter what the variety or size. He completely denuded 2 of my habaneros that I was trying to winter over. Several years ago I, like you, was wondering what was hitting my peppers that I was starting indoors. I wouldn't have believed it, but I have seen it too many times now...he will even jump up onto a table if I have seedlings there. I've come back into a room to find the seedlings uprooted with their leaves missing. I've actually caught him in the act...

[RebelRidin]

Originally Posted by Farmette

My cat's favorite vegetables are pepper plant leaves...it doesn't matter what the variety or size. He completely denuded 2 of my habaneros that I was trying to winter over. Several years ago I, like you, was wondering what was hitting my peppers that I was starting indoors. I wouldn't have believed it, but I have seen it too many times now...he will even jump up onto a table if I have seedlings there. I've come back into a room to find the seedlings uprooted with their leaves missing. I've actually caught him in the act...

I think I am safe from my cats. They were inside as I was grwoing all my plants in the basement without incident (except for when they would try to poo in my tub of potting mix ).

Right now I am thinking Mockingbirds or Cardinals. Anyway I've attached some pics...

[kath]

Looks like deer damage to me.

[RebelRidin]

Kath,

I agree it looks like that but I am all but 100% positive it isn't.

[hdrider]

Maybe it is the one eyed one horned flying purple pepper eater.

[RebelRidin]

Originally Posted by hdrider

Maybe it is the one eyed one horned flying purple pepper eater.

Ahemmm

[Tonio]

dayum RR, they are munched!! And here I am whining about a few leaves chewed in half passila bajio, poblanos and red marconi's are starting to bloom- some of the biggest blooms I've seen yet.

got wabits around?

[RebelRidin]

Originally Posted by Tonio

dayum RR, they are munched!! And here I am whining about a few leaves chewed in half passila bajio, poblanos and red marconi's are starting to bloom- some of the biggest blooms I've seen yet.

got wabits around?

We've had one hanging around the yard. The garden is fenced though and the lower two feet has 1" chicken wire stapled up on the inside. Also I have several beds with some really nice spinach , lettuce and greens and lots of cauliflower, brocolli and cabbages. The only thing that's been touched is these peppers.

I am off tomorrow and will see what I can do about getting them some protection...

[DogsandDirt]

I would include roof rats in your differential diagonsis. Those **** were eating my peppers last summer.

http://www.roofrat.net/All_about_Roof_Rats.html

[BennB]

You need to get something like this.

Wildlife Camera

And catch them in the act!

[RebelRidin]

Originally Posted by DogsandDirt

I would include roof rats in your differential diagonsis. Those **** were eating my peppers last summer.

http://www.roofrat.net/All_about_Roof_Rats.html

Yes that could be a possibility. The occassional Grey squirrel that comes up in the yard might be a possibilty too.

Working on the idea that it may be birds I put up some cheap "tomato" cages I had pulled from a dumpster at work a couple years ago and tied some 4" nursery pots on strings to swing in the breeze over their heads.

Whatever it is I think if I can get them a few weeks along they will stop. (It may be wishful thinking but it makes me feel better... )