0
points
Green Caterpillars eating my Brussel Sprouts

Brussels sprouts    None Given

Need help. Can't keep up with these green caterpillars eating my Brussel Sprouts. Must of picked over 25 last night. Any suggestions? Thanks


Posted by: Kimberly Munn (1 point) Kimberly Munn
Posted: July 11, 2016


Dr. Ravishankar Narayana commented,
It will be helpful if you provide images of larvae (and it's damage) to identify exact pest. Thanks
over 7 years ago.



Answers

1
point
The green caterpillars that normally eats brussel sprouts are army worms or cabbage loopers.

Army worm (Spodoptera spp): The larvae feeds on leaves, stems and roots of many crops. The caterpillars are dark green in color and always present in mass. Adult grey moth lays eggs in mass on leaves or stem. The newly hatched larvae starts feeding on crown leaves by forming webless perforations. The older larvae cuts the stem and also feeds on leaves by making irregular holes.

Cabbage looper (Trichoplusia ni): The caterpillars are light green in color with yellow stripes running down the back. Also the caterpillar loops as it walks. The adult brownish moths lay eggs on plant debris. The hatched larvae feeds on older leaves by making irregular holes.

Both insects are very active during night.

Management:
1. Keep a close eye on plants regularly. If you find any egg mass on leaves or stem remove and destroy them.
2. Hand pick the larva (better during night) and put them in soap water.
3. Spray homemade insecticide soap solution to repel/kill the insects (add 1 tablespoon of cooking oil+ 2 tablespoons of baking soda+ few drops of Ivory soap in 1 quart of water).
4. Also you can spray biocontrol agents like Bacillus thuringiensis, or spinosad.
5. You can also use commercial traps with floral lures to catch the adults.
6. Keep the garden free from weeds and debris.


Posted by: Dr. Ravishankar Narayana (15 points) Dr. Ravishankar Narayana
Posted: July 12, 2016




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