â ModerateðĐš
Pests
Cabbage Worms and Loopers on Broccoli
Commonly affects: Brassica oleracea var. italica (Broccoli)
Ragged holes appear across leaves, with green caterpillars (well-camouflaged against the foliage) and dark droppings visible on close inspection.
Potential Causes
- 1Cabbage white butterfly or cabbage looper moth larvae feeding on foliage
- 2Adult butterflies/moths laying eggs on the underside of leaves
- 3Warm weather supporting multiple generations per season
Solution Steps
- 1Hand-pick caterpillars and destroy egg clusters on leaf undersides
- 2Apply Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt), an organic caterpillar-specific treatment
- 3Use floating row covers to physically exclude egg-laying adults
- 4Check plants every few days during peak butterfly/moth activity
Prevention Tip
Row covers installed from transplanting are the most effective prevention, physically blocking the adults from ever laying eggs.
