Aphids, primarily Green Peach (Myzus persicae)
See the Pepper insect control section for information about aphids.
Stink Bug
Stink bugs, similar to thrips and tarnished plant bugs, feed on the base of buds as they develop. This causes scarring that prevents normal development of the bud in the feeding region, resulting in unmarketable, claw-shaped artichokes.
Tarnished Plant Bug (Lygus lineolaris)
In artichoke, tarnished plant bugs may feed on leaves, leaving behind a shothole appearance. More significantly, they may feed at the base of buds resulting in dark spots and streaking, sometimes rendering them unmarketable. See the Lettuce, Endive, and Escarole insect control section for more information about tarnished plant bugs.
Thrips
The piercing-sucking mouthparts of thrips cause twisting and curling of leaves. Occasionally, thrips may also feed on bracts of buds, which can become deformed and thus unmarketable.