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Extension > Garden > Diagnose a problem > What's wrong with my plant? > Vegetable > Cabbage > Brown/green pellets on head

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Cabbage > Head > Brown/green pellets on head

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  • Image: Cabbage Looper 1
  • Image: Cabbage Looper 2
  • Image: Cabbage Looper 3

Cabbage Looper
Trichoplusia ni

  • Green to brown pellets may be present
  • Larvae feed on leaves resulting in large ragged holes
  • Severely defoliated plants may not form a head
  • Larvae are up to 1 ½ inches in length, light green, and move in a characteristic “looping” action
  • Present from early July to late August
  • More information on Cabbage Looper
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  • Image: Imported Cabbageworm 1
  • Image: Imported Cabbageworm 2
  • Image: Imported Cabbageworm 3

Imported Cabbageworm
Artogeia rapae

  • Green to brown pellets may be present
  • Larvae feed on leaves causing irregularly shaped holes
  • Larvae are up to 1 inch in length, velvety green in color with faint yellow stripes running longitudinally on the back and sides
  • Larvae are present throughout the growing season
  • More information on Imported Cabbageworm

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