Red cabbage is more pest-resistant than other cabbage varieties.
Red cabbage, a smaller relative of the more common, pale green cabbage, makes up for its size with increased resistance to a common cabbage pest. Increased resistance, however, doesn't entirely exempt red cabbages from visits by green cabbage moth caterpillars.
Cabbage Caterpillar Varieties
Three species of green caterpillars, or worms, infest red cabbages. They're larvae of cabbage white butterflies (Trichoplusia ni), imported cabbageworms (Artogeia rapae) or diamondback moths (Plutella xylostella).
Damage
The caterpillars eat red cabbage leaves, concentrating on tissue between the midribs and veins. Diamondback moth larvae eat leaves from the inside out. Newly hatched worms scrape leaf tissue, creating translucent patches. Older worms chew holes in the leaves.
Effects
Heavy caterpillar infestation can distort or kill young red cabbage plants. Older plants can withstand survive the loss of 50 percent of their foliage.
Controlling Red Cabbage Worms
Manual removal and disposal of the worms in soapy water is the most effective control for small red cabbage crops. Larger infestations merit a spray application of Bt-based pesticide. This pesticide contains Bacillus thuringiensis bacteria. The germs paralyze the digestive tracts of any worms that ingest sprayed cabbage leaves. It's most effective on young caterpillars.
Tags: cabbage leaves, green cabbage, most effective
