Cabbage Worms
 Cabbage Worms - Three species of cabbage worms (imported cabbage worms,
cabbage loopers and diamond back moth worms) commonly attack the leaves
and heads of cabbage and related cole crops. Imported cabbage worms are
velvety green caterpillars. The moth is white and commonly is seen
during the day hovering over plants in the garden. Cabbage loopers
("measuring worms") are smooth, light green caterpillars. The cabbage
looper crawls by doubling up (to form a loop) and then moving the front
of its body forward. The moth is brown and is most active at night.
Diamondback worms are small, pale, green caterpillars that are pointed
on both ends. The moth is gray, with diamond-shaped markings when the
wings are closed. The damage caused by diamondback larvae looks like
shot holes in the leaf.
The larval or worm stages of these insects cause damage by eating holes
in the leaves. The adult moths or butterflies lay their eggs on the
leaves but otherwise do not damage the plants. The worms are not easy to
see because they are fairly small and blend with the cabbage leaves.
Cabbage worms are quite destructive and can ruin the crop if not
controlled. They are even worse in fall plantings than in spring gardens
because the population has had several months to increase. About the
time of the first frost in the fall, moth and caterpillar numbers
finally begin to decline drastically.
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