Cabbage Looper
Cabbage Looper: (Size=1-1/4 inch)
Some form of cabbage looper is present throughout North America. The cabbage looper doesn't have legs in the middle of its body so moves inchworm-like, with a hump in the middle. It's the larvae of a gray, night-flying moth. It chews ragged holes in the leaves of cabbages, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, and cauliflower. Later in the season, it bores into developing heads. There may be several generations per year.
Controls
Use garden fabric (row cover) in early spring as a barrier to egg-laying moths.
Spray with neem oil.
Spray with Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt), especially when catepillars are small. Be sure to direct spray to leaf undersides.
Ask an Expert
If you still have questions, please ask our in-house experts. Just click here to send your question by e-mail.
|