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Identifying cabbage caterpillars on Swede
Larvae of cabbage white butterflies and cabbage moths — pale green to velvety green caterpillars, sometimes with yellow stripes, feeding on brassica leaves.
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Life cycle
Adults lay egg clusters on leaf undersides in spring and summer; larvae feed for several weeks before pupating; multiple generations per year.
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Damage to Swede
Chew large ragged holes in leaves and can bore into hearts of cabbages, leaving behind dark green droppings; heavy feeding can defoliate plants.
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How to treat cabbage caterpillars on Swede
Hand-pick caterpillars and eggs. Apply Bacillus thuringiensis spray. Encourage parasitic wasps.
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Preventing cabbage caterpillars on Swede
Cover brassicas with fine insect mesh from planting. Inspect leaf undersides regularly for egg clusters.