Cabbage Looper
insectTrichoplusia ni
Green inchworm caterpillar that feeds on brassica crops. Moves in a looping motion.
Identification
1-1.5 inch green caterpillar with thin white stripes. Loops body when crawling. Moth is brown with silver figure-8 on wings.
Damage & Symptoms
Ragged holes in leaves of cabbage, broccoli, kale, and related crops. Frass on leaves.
Organic Control
Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis) spray. Hand-pick. Row covers. Encourage parasitic wasps with dill and fennel.
Chemical Control
Spinosad. Permethrin. Bt is preferred.
Prevention
Row covers from transplant. Companion plant with thyme, sage, or oregano. Fall cleanup to remove pupae.
Data confidence: medium | Source: curated_ipm