Extension > Garden > Diagnose a problem > What's wrong with my plant? > Vegetable > Cauliflower > Brown/green pellets on head
Cauliflower > Head > Brown/green pellets on head
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Cabbage Looper
Trichoplusia ni
- Green to brown pellets may be present, and can stain cauliflower heads
- 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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Imported Cabbageworm
Artogeia rapae
- Green to brown pellets may be present, and can stain cauliflower heads
- Brown larva excrement 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
