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insect id [catterpillar eating my kale]

16 years ago

this is my first post and my first time garden. so far everything seems like its growing great and going according to plan[whatever plan that may be]. the only issue i am having are holes in my kale. yesterday i found this little green catterpillar hanging out. i took a picture from a camera phone so i am not sure if it will be good enough. if anyone can ID this little guy for me and let me know if he is the one feasting on my leaves...

thanks!

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Comments (6)

jean001
16 years ago
White cabbage butterfly. And yep, he's eating your leaves.

Daily search-and-destroy missions are helpful.
Kimmsr
16 years ago
The Imported Cabbage worm, the larva of the Imported Cabbage Butterfly. As Jean has indicated a daily search and destroy mission can help as well as judicious applications of Bacillus thuringiensis - Kurstaki.
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ofionnachta
16 years ago
Cabbage Worm, as others have said. Those pretty white butterflies you say earlier this spring flitting about your garden put him there. You can't spray poison on the kale/brussel sprouts/broccoli/cabbages these guys eat, because it's not good for you either. If you have kids, a nickel per caterpillar & a paper cup, used daily, works very well.
I have sometimes found these guys on supermarket broccoli---when I do, I am delighted. They mean the broccoli wasn't sprayed with toxic stuff before I got it.
jeanies_garden
16 years ago
My poor La Cinada Kale looks like they have been through a war. I will not use pesticides, plan to talk to organic gardeners soon. Plan to get a butterfly net to catch those pesky white whatevers. I have only found two green worms this season, wonder where they hide, and if they are more active after dark.
laceyvail 6A, WV
16 years ago
Use row covers, just like you do over cabbage and broccoli. Easy and effective. The handiest thing for organic gardeners since plants themselves. Of course, if there are already eggs on the plan, you'll have to check under the row covers daily until they hatch and you get them all. Then it's home free.
User
16 years ago
look under the leaves along the edge of the vein where the vein meets the leaf greenery.

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