Imported cabbageworm—Pieris
rapae
Cabbageworm larvae are green and very hairy, with an almost velvetlike appearance. Older larvae may be
up to 1-inch long and often have one faint yellow orange stripe down their backs and broken stripes along
the sides. Adults are white with one to four black spots on the wings.
Life cycle
Damage
Cabbageworm larvae chew large, irregular holes in leaves, bore into heads, and drop greenish brown fecal
pellets onto edible portions.
Solutions
Handpick. Natural control by virus and
parasites, such as tachinid flies, can sometimes be effective.
Bacillus
thuringiensis or spinosad are very effective.
Egg laying can be prevented by using floating
row covers.
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Imported
cabbageworm larva
 Pupa
with tachinid fly exit holes
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