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Problem: Imported Cabbageworm - Pieris rapae
Hosts: Cabbage, Broccoli, Cauliflower
Description: This is the worm often seen with the cabbage looper on crucifers. The larva is a velvety green caterpillar that feeds on the leaves when the larva is young. This insect crawls flat rather than using a "looping" motion as the cabbage looper does. As the larva matures, it may start feeding on cabbage, broccoli, or cauliflower heads. Mature larvae are about 1 1/4 inches long. Larvae take about 10 days to 2 weeks to mature and attach themselves to the leaves of the host plants with a silken thread when they are ready to pupate. The chrysalis is a light green color.
The adult of this insect is a white butterfly with black spots on the wings and can be seen in the garden from spring to fall. Eggs are laid singly on the underside of the leaves and are a yellow to cream color. They are spherical in shape rather than the missile shape found with cabbage looper eggs.
Recommendations: Crushing eggs on the underside of the
leaves or hand picking can reduce populations of feeding larvae. Bacillus thuringiensis
(BT) and various other insecticides can be used for control.
References:
1. Imported Cabbageworm, Cornell University Extension Publication
Last Update: 03/28/2003
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