Practice Organic Cabbage Worm Control for a Chemical-Free Garden

By Barbara Pleasant
Published on March 25, 2013
article image
Illustration By Keith Ward
If you see these little white butterflies in your garden, take action to protect your brassicas before the cabbage worm moths lay eggs.

This article is part of ourOrganic Pest Control Series, which includes articles on attracting beneficial insects, controlling specific garden pests, and using organic pesticides. 

Cabbage Worms (Pieris rapae

The most common of cabbage pests are cabbage worms, which are caterpillars of various butterflies and moths such as the one shown above. They feed on the leaves and heads of cabbage, broccoli, and closely related crops. Cabbage worms weaken plants by removing plant tissue, and they can ruin beautiful heads of cabbage or broccoli by boring inside. Organic controls for cabbage worms include handpicking, excluding them with row cover barriers, or treating with a Bt pesticide. Cabbage worms are found throughout North America, and more than one species may be found in the same garden. 

What Are Cabbage Worms? 

These three types of cabbage worms are frequent cabbage pests:

Imported Cabbage Worms. The most common species in home gardens are properly called imported cabbage worms (Pieris rapae). The larvae of an ever-present white butterfly with black spots, imported cabbage worms are native to Europe. They were first seen in North America in 1860 and are now established from Canada to California. Velvety green with faint yellow stripes, imported cabbage worms feed on all members of the cabbage family, especially cabbage, broccoli and cauliflower.

Comments (0) Join others in the discussion!
    Online Store Logo
    Need Help? Call 1-800-234-3368