Cabbage Insect Pests
 

Cabbage Head Caterpillar
Crocidolomia binotalisia

Damage symptoms

The leaves are tied together by webbing. Leaf damage occurs on the lower surface. Young foliage may be completely consumed. In cases of severe defoliation, the leaf surface is chewed extensively leaving only the major veins.


Insect characteristics

Chewing mouthparts. Caterpillars are light to yellowish green with distinctive red heads. They often measure 2 cm long and have three white parallel lines along their backs and two others along each side. Some have black pigmentations on their bodies forming dots traiangularly arranged on the sides. Adult moths fly at night.


Where to Look

Caterpillars generally feed on the undersides of leaves. When young, they feed in large groups. Look for plants with damage on the young leaves and extensive webbing.

Technical information

Eggs are laid in masses on the undersides of leaves. Larval feeding may last 4 weeks. Pupation occurs in a cocoon which is formed in the soil at the base of the plant. Although their life cycle may take 40-60 days for completion, multiple generations may occur annually. They are common during hot-wet seasons.


Control

To be added later.