Cabbageworm – Larva

The imported cabbageworm adult is the familiar small, white butterfly often seen fluttering around flowering plants and weeds in the summer. Each front wing has one or two round black spots near its center. The cabbageworm larva is a velvety-green caterpillar that easily blends with green leaf color. Larger caterpillars have a delicate yellow line which runs lengthwise down the center of their bodies. Look for cabbageworm larvae and signs of their feeding damage (irregular holes in the leaves, and dark green feces) on cabbage and kale.

Management: See list of labeled insecticides in the New England Recommendation Guide.