The ridged, white, round eggs are usually laid singly on the underside of the outer leaves. When mature, the larvae reach 1-1/2 inches in length. There are three pairs of slender legs near the head and two pair of club-shaped prolegs toward the other end.

The larvae are light green in color with a pale white stripe along each side and two thin white stripes down the back. Cabbage looper arches its back when moving. Watch for cabbage loopers particularly on the undersides of leaves along leaf margins, but they can be found anywhere on the plant.įigure 1.

So early detection of economic infestations is critical to the management of these pests. Because many of these pests are much more difficult to control as large larvae, controls will always be most effective when directed toward small larvae.

Damage to the head or wrapper leaves often reduces marketability. These pests can cause serious damage to young transplants as well as causing serious leaf feeding damage to older plants. University of Kentucky College of AgricultureĬutworms, imported cabbageworm, cabbage looper, diamondback moth larvae, and cross-striped cabbage worm can be each cause substantial damage to cabbage. ENTFACT-300: Cabbage Pests | Download PDF by Ric Bessin, Extension Specialist

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