A Guide to Common Summer Garden Pests

By The Mother Earth News Editors
Published on July 1, 1982
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The TOMATO HORNWORM is a voracious garden pest, even though you'll usually find it munching only on tomato plants.
The TOMATO HORNWORM is a voracious garden pest, even though you'll usually find it munching only on tomato plants.
PHOTO: MOTHER EARTH NEWS STAFF
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The SLUG, a general pest throughout the garden, will attack leaves and fruit.
The SLUG, a general pest throughout the garden, will attack leaves and fruit.
MOTHER EARTH NEWS STAFF
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The TOMATO FRUITWORM — as you'd imagine — attacks the maturing fruits of tomato plants.
The TOMATO FRUITWORM — as you'd imagine — attacks the maturing fruits of tomato plants.
MOTHER EARTH NEWS STAFF
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The CABBAGE LOOPER moves in a "humping" fashion, like an inchworm. These larvae prey upon the cabbage family and are usually found on the undersides of the leaves.
The CABBAGE LOOPER moves in a "humping" fashion, like an inchworm. These larvae prey upon the cabbage family and are usually found on the undersides of the leaves.
MOTHER EARTH NEWS STAFF
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This TOMATO HORNWORM carries cocoons of the braconid wasp, which will hatch ... and help protect your garden.
This TOMATO HORNWORM carries cocoons of the braconid wasp, which will hatch ... and help protect your garden.
MOTHER EARTH NEWS STAFF
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The BLACK CUTWORM can threaten the tender seedlings of many vegetables.
The BLACK CUTWORM can threaten the tender seedlings of many vegetables.
MOTHER EARTH NEWS STAFF
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APHIDS (more often light in color than dark) can cause widespread crop damage.
APHIDS (more often light in color than dark) can cause widespread crop damage.
MOTHER EARTH NEWS STAFF
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CABBAGE LOOPERS seen with damaged leaves.
CABBAGE LOOPERS seen with damaged leaves.
MOTHER EARTH NEWS STAFF
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The WIREWORM attacks both root crops and the germinating seeds of young plants.
The WIREWORM attacks both root crops and the germinating seeds of young plants.
MOTHER EARTH NEWS STAFF
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A MEXICAN BEAN BEETLE on a mutilated leaf.
A MEXICAN BEAN BEETLE on a mutilated leaf.
MOTHER EARTH NEWS STAFF
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The life cycle of the MEXICAN BEAN BEETLE.
The life cycle of the MEXICAN BEAN BEETLE.
MOTHER EARTH NEWS STAFF
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The STRIPED CUCUMBER BEETLE, depicted here with feeding damage, attacks cucumbers, melons, squash and pumpkins.
The STRIPED CUCUMBER BEETLE, depicted here with feeding damage, attacks cucumbers, melons, squash and pumpkins.
MOTHER EARTH NEWS STAFF
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The BANDED CUCUMBER BEETLE preys on the same plants as the STRIPED CUCUMBER BEETLE.
The BANDED CUCUMBER BEETLE preys on the same plants as the STRIPED CUCUMBER BEETLE.
MOTHER EARTH NEWS STAFF

Learn how to identify the most common summer garden pests that invade your garden.


A Guide to Common Summer Garden Pests

Although this spread appeared in MOTHER’s Guide to (Almost!) Foolproof Gardening we figure that — with bug season here — we can all use a refresher course in knowing our enemy. (See the garden pest photos in the image gallery.)

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