Vegetables> Cabbage> Pests

Cabbage Diamondback Moth (DBM) (Plutella xylostella):

It is one of the most serious pests of cabbage grown under comparatively high temperature conditions. The DBM derives its name from the white markings along the back of the forewings which when folded form a diamond shaped pattern. The caterpillars are green or brownish green in colour. The adult female lays eggs on the leaves either singly or in groups. Small slender green caterpillars on emergence feed on the leaf epidermis and later make holes in the leaves. Severely affected leaves are completely skletonised. Pupation takes place in a loose mesh of silken cocoon spun by the caterpillar.

Control: Spraying the crop with Malathion (0.1%) or Profenofos (0.25-0.5 kg a.i./ha) gives excellent control of the larvae. Intercropping mustard in the cabbage crop 15 days prior to sowing and 25 days after planting cabbage was effective. As the pest preferred mustard, major pest population is attracted towards it, which can be destroyed by spraying the crop with Dichlorvos (1 ml/ litre of water).

Leaf Webber (Crocidolomia binotalis):

It is one of the most destructive pests of cabbage. Eggs are laid in clusters on the undersurface of the leaves and held together by gelatinous glue. Green caterpillars web up the leaves and live inside the knotted mass. Flowering and pod formation is adversely affected.

Control: Removal and destruction of webbed bunches of leaf help to check the further spread of the disease. Dusting the crop with Carbaryl (4%) or spraying with Malathion (0.05%) is effective.

Cabbage Borer (Hellula undalis):

The adult female lays eggs on the growing point or on the older leaves. The pale-whitish caterpillars mine the foliage, feed on the shoots and finally bore into the stem. As a result the infested plants are killed or produce side shoots, which do not form heads.

Control: Spraying the crop with Malathion (0.1%) or dusting 4% Carbaryl gives excellent control of the larvae.

Cabbage Butterfly (Pieris brassicae):

The larvae of the pest after hatching from the eggs feed gregariously on the foliage and burrow into the heads. In case of severe cases the heads become completely unfit for marketing.

Control: The caterpillars should be hand picked and destroyed. Spraying the crop upon the emergence of the pest with Malathion (0.1%) or dusting Carbaryl (0.15%) gives excellent control of the pest.

Aphids (Brevicoryne brassicae, Myzus persicae, Lipaphis erysimi):

Yellowish green nymphs and adults suck cell sap and devitalize plants. Affected parts become discolored and malformed. High humidity favours rapid multiplication of this pest. The aphids are mostly observed on the lower surface of the leaves.

Control: Spraying of Monocrotophos (0.05%) or Malathion (0.1%) at 10-15 days interval contains aphid population effectively. To prevent recurrence of the pest granular insecticides like Phorate @ 1.0 kg a.i./ha should be applied to soil.