How to Control Cabbage Worms on Brassicas and Cole Crops

Pieris rapae

While butterfly collectors may rejoice that the cabbage butterfly now lives in all 50 states and southern Canada, people who grow cole crops and crucifers do not share their joy.

Also known in their adult form as small white, cabbage white, white, or even small cabbage white butterflies, these pretty pests are also often referred to erroneously as cabbage moths in the United States. Use of this common name is understandable, due to their relatively plain and unadorned appearance.

Cabbage worms, the larvae of these insects, can completely destroy a crop of cabbage or other brassicas if left to their own devices.

Close up of cabbage worm (Pieris rapae) on a brassica leaf.

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While a couple holes in a head are not a big deal, these caterpillars can eventually defoliate plants if they are present in large numbers, leaving only their stems and large veins in place.

However, there are steps you can to take to protect your cole crops from the cabbage worm and butterfly. Let’s explore these methods.

Identification, Biology, and Distribution

The parents of the cabbage worm are small white butterflies (Pieris rapae), one of the most common butterfly species in the northeastern United States.

A close up horizontal image of a white and gray cabbage butterfly landing on a leaf pictured in light sunshine on a soft focus background.

The half-inch butterflies are white with wings edged in black that also have one or two black spots on them.

While the butterflies are very attractive, they are probably laying eggs on the undersides of the leaves of your plants!

The inch-long caterpillars, often referred to in the US as imported cabbage worms, are velvet green in color with a few faint yellow stripes.

The caterpillars also have several yellow spots down their backs.

These voracious pests can dig into leaves and fruits of brassica plants, resulting in missing chunks and small gaps that are obvious to anyone who picks and eats the produce.

Also, their fecal matter or frass is scattered throughout the crop, a telltale sign of their presence even if you don’t see the insects.

Keep an eye out for them – they often hide on the undersides of leaves when they are not feeding.

Their range is widespread, and these insects are common today in Europe, Asia, north Africa, New Zealand, and Australia, as well as Canada and the United States.

Life Cycle

These worms overwinter as pupae. The adults emerge in the spring and mate, and then the females lay yellow football-shaped eggs on host plants.

These are typically laid singly on the undersides of leaves.

A close up horizontal image of a 'Red Russian' leaf with tiny eggs visible.

The eggs hatch within a week, and the larvae begin feeding.

Imported cabbage worm (Pieris rapae) larvae feeding on a brassica leaf.

Over the next two weeks, the larvae go through several stages before using silk-like threads to attach themselves to the plant to pupate.

Pupa of Pieris rapae the small white or small cabbage white ibutterfly. Close up macro photo.
Pieris rapae pupae on a crucifer leaf.

The adults emerge in a week or two to start the cycle over again.

Small cabbage white butterflies (Pieris rapae) sitting on a purple flower.
A small white butterfly, ready to start the reproductive cycle all over again.

Cabbage worms often go through three generations in the Northeast per year, or more in warmer climates.

What’s at Risk?

The following species and cultivars are most at risk of being attacked by the cabbage worm:

  • Bok choy
  • Broccoli
  • Brussels sprouts
  • Cabbage
  • Collard greens
  • Cauliflower
  • Kale
  • Kohlrabi
  • Mustard and other crucifers
  • Radishes
  • Rutabagas
  • Turnips

Any plant that belongs to the Brassicaceae family can be vulnerable. Lettuce is also a target of these nuisance insects, despite being in a different family (Asteraceae), and they will sometimes feed on nasturtiums or sweet alyssum as well.

Organic Control Methods

You can use several types of organic methods to control these pests.

Bacillus Thuringiensis

A type of beneficial bacteria, Bacillus thuringiensis kurstaki (Btk), is an effective treatment that will immediately stop the caterpillars from feeding.

The caterpillars will then die of malnutrition within several days.

Monterey Bt Liquid on a white, isolated backround.

Monterey Btk Liquid via Arbico Organics

Treating the plants every week or two will provide sustained control throughout the season.

Read more about using various strains of Bt in the garden here.

Pyrethrins

Natural pyrethrins are another option, although you should not apply them in the heat of the day – especially if temperatures are predicted to go above 90°F.

These pesticides, which are derived from chrysanthemum flowers, can be used to control a variety of pests.

Natural Predators

Trichogramma spp. parasitic wasps can also help to control cabbage worms. You can attract them to your garden by planting pollen and nectar producing flowering plants such as sweet alyssum, zinnias, cosmos, and alliums.

The wasps lay their eggs inside the butterfly eggs, and the larvae feed when they hatch before emerging from the eggs as adults. This stops the development of unwanted pests.

Trichogramma brassicae moth egg parasites packaged in a can. On a white, isolated background.

Trichogramma spp. Moth Egg Parasites via Arbico Organics

Another option is to buy Trichogramma wasps and release them into your garden.

Note that specific species are indicated, depending on the types of crops that you are growing as well as the region where you are gardening.

T. brassicae is recommended to eradicate caterpillars on cole crops and other low-lying plants. T. minutum is recommended for use east of the Rockies while T. platneri is native to regions west of the Rocky Mountains.

Cultural Controls

Using floating row covers early in the season – before the butterflies have a chance to lay their eggs – is an effective means of control.

You can handpick the larvae as you find them and put them in a bucket of soapy water.

Once you have harvested your cole crops, remove any remnants of the plants and till the soil under. This will plow the pupae under the soil and kill them.

Chemical Pesticide Control

While these organic control methods should greatly minimize the damage to your brassicas from cabbage worms, chemical pesticides are another option.

Sevin is an insecticide that has been recommended to destroy these pests.

Be sure to read all package instructions carefully when applying chemical pesticides and wear appropriate protection.

Ever-Present Butterflies That Can Kill Your Crucifers

These attractive butterflies are mainstays in the spring and summer throughout the US. But don’t fall for their unassuming appearance. They are as destructive as they are modestly attractive.

Macro shot of the imported cabbage worm on a green leaf of a cole crop plant

Eggs laid on brassicas hatch into voracious caterpillars. Fortunately, there are many methods available to control these pests, ranging from treatments with Bt to parasitic wasps.

If you have a small garden, you can handpick the caterpillars and kill them.

Have you vanquished cabbage worms? Or did they decimate your garden? Either way, let us know in the comments section below.

And check out these articles next for more tips to grow your best crop of brassicas yet:

Photo of author
One of Helga George’s greatest childhood joys was reading about rare and greenhouse plants that would not grow in Delaware. Now that she lives near Santa Barbara, California, she is delighted that many of these grow right outside! Fascinated by the childhood discovery that plants make chemicals to defend themselves, Helga embarked on further academic study and obtained two degrees, studying plant diseases as a plant pathology major. She holds a BS in agriculture from Cornell University, and an MS from the University of Massachusetts Amherst. Helga then returned to Cornell to obtain a PhD, studying one of the model systems of plant defense. She transitioned to full-time writing in 2009.
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Elizabeth
Elizabeth (@guest_17597)
1 year ago

I am a fan of organic methods, one which may or may not be feasible for your readers. I use a spray, on the brassicas, made of a diluted solution of Hydrogen Peroxide and water. A very dilute mixture, that is. A solution too strong will burn the leaves. I’d say about 40:1. The secondary benefits of this solution is the oxygen is taken up by the plant, which is a great benefit the plant. Thirdly, the solution will breakdown into plain water, within a day or two. In the meantime, it’s sure death to the cabbage worms and other… Read more »

Kristine Lofgren
Kristine Lofgren(@kristinelofgren)
Gardening Writer
Reply to  Elizabeth
1 year ago

Awesome, thanks so much for sharing your experience.

Elizabeth
Elizabeth (@guest_23827)
1 year ago

I have a home garden and I used Bt or hand picked eggs off my brassica. Picking eggs got to be tiresome and the Bt sometimes discolored the leaves somewhat so I was concerned about that. I also used praying mantis but I think the birds ate them before they matured. I’d like to try and attract the wasps this year.

Simon
Simon (@guest_35409)
5 months ago

I’ve been picking them off by hand and squeezing them.