Cabbage looper
Caused by: Trichoplusia niProblem Category: Insect
Symptoms: Large or small holes in leaves; damage often extensive; caterpillars are pale green with a white lines running down either side of their body; caterpillars are easily distinguished by the way they arch their body when moving; eggs are laid singly, usually on the lower leaf surface close to the leaf margin, and are white or pale green in color
Comments: Insect overwinter as pupae in crop debris in soil; adult insect id a dark colored moth; caterpillars have a wide host range
Management: Management may be needed after cabbage heading; biological controls such as spraying with Bacillus thuringiensis can be effective at controlling looper numbers; application of appropriate insecticide after heading also controls looper populations; selective insecticides help to protect populations of natural enemies on crop
Control: Spray 5% Neem seed kernal extract to control the cabbage looper or spray 5ml Neem oil to control looper