Despite not being an agricultural weed in itself, it hosts a number of insects and diseases, including both pests and beneficial insects. It is also a potential reservoir of the cucumber mosaic virus, "Erysiphum cichoraceum" (the cucurbit powdery mildew) and Texas root rot. A study found "V. thapsus" hosts insects from 29 different families. Most of the pests found were western flower thrips ("Frankliniella occidentalis"), "Lygus" species such as the tarnished plant bug ("L. lineolaris"), and various spider mites from the family Tetranychidae. These make the plant a potential reservoir for overwintering pests.