Imported Cabbage Worm - Pieris rapae

 Cabbage worm egg Adult butterfly
Whitney Cranshaw, Colorado State University, www.ipmimages.org
Larvae, up to 1- 1/4 inch long pupa
Clemson University, USDA Cooperative Extension Slide Series, www.ipmimages.org

HOSTS: Broccoli and other cabbage family plants (cabbage, cauliflower, brussels sprouts, kohlrabi, kale), lettuce, radish, rhubarb.

DESCRIPTION: Larvae are velvety-green with a faint yellow stripe up to 1-1/4 inch long. They are very slow moving. Adults are white butterflies.

LIFE CYCLE: The adult butterflies are usually active during the months of May and June. Larvae hatch and begin feeding, usually on the outside leaves.

CONTROLS:

Cultural: Grow resistant varieties if available. Heavy rainfall helps to decrease worm populations, so overhead irrigation or directed sprays of water can somewhat decrease population levels in the early stages.

Biological: Start checking for these worms as soon as you begin to see adults flying around your plants. Spray with Bt when you find 1 worm per 2 plants. It is most effective on newly hatched, smaller (1/2 – ¾”) worms. See Bacillus thuringiensis.


Missoula County Extension Office; Missoula, Montana 59808 - Updated for 2006