Insect
Pea Moth
A small moth whose caterpillars burrow into pea pods and feed on the developing seeds, often going undetected until the pod is opened at harvest.
Symptoms to Look For
- Pea pods with small entry holes when examined closely
- Caterpillars and frass inside pods at harvest
- Some peas partially or wholly consumed within an otherwise normal-looking pod
Affected Plants
Pea
Organic Solutions
Timing
Sow peas early (February - March) or late (after June) so flowering occurs outside the peak moth flight period of mid-June through August.
Fine mesh cover
Cover pea rows with fine insect mesh during the flowering period to exclude egg-laying moths.
Prevention
- Do not grow peas that will be flowering during July - this is when egg-laying peaks in most of the UK and northern Europe
- Remove crop debris promptly as pupae overwinter in the soil near where pods fell
Garden, by Willowbottom recommends only organic, wildlife-friendly solutions. No synthetic pesticides, no harmful chemicals - ever.