Marianne's Response

Cabbage and cut worm identification and elminiation

For the last two years all my broad leaf vegetables get a tiny caterpillar worm destroying the above ground leaves. It’s identifiable in the beginning stages with a light brown spot that grows in size until the whole leaf is destroyed. What is it & what procedure should I take to eliminate this from happening every season?

Thanks,
Stan

Posted by Stan Weimer on April 2, 2014

Marianne's Response

Sounds like a cut worm or larvae from the cabbage worm. Flying insects deposit tiny eggs on new greens and then the eggs hatch and the larvae feed on the foliage. The answer is to use a barrier of agricultural fleece (trade name is Remay) to cover the crops as soon as they sprout. This white fabric will allow sunlight and rain but no insects to land on the plants. Keep growing, Marianne Binetti