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Atlanta, GA on May 18, 2012

Something is eating my collard, cabbage and pepper leaves. Any idea what it is and how I can stop it?

My dad, who is doing the gardening, has resorted to putting some type of white power on them. So that is what you see in the photo. I am not sure of the name at present.

19 Comments

Leslie D Las Vegas, NV

Japanese beetles, maybe?

on May 18, 2012 · Like 0
Walter Reeves Decatur, GA

A lovely example of cabbage looper damage! This green caterpillar is common on the plants you're growing.
The good news is that it can be controlled organically. Apply a product containing B.t. (Caterpillar Attack, Dipel, etc) once a week.

on May 18, 2012 · Like 3
Denise Gentry A Munford, AL

Looks like the same thing that is eating my hostas! Its not snails. I can't find the critters at any time. Been out at 2 am with a flashlight-nothing!

on May 18, 2012 · Like 0
Cliff K Redwood City, CA

dust plants with baking soda for an organic method to rid these cut worms. if you spray plants with water or if it rains vs. ground watering you need to re-apply baking soda. http://www.sfbayhomes.com blog, Sunday in the Garden aka Dad's Garden.

on May 18, 2012 · Like 5
Becky H Tampa, FL

Cliff, will that work for grasshoppers as well??

on May 18, 2012 · Like 1
Pixie H Saint Stephen, SC

these are a type of catapillar. use sevin dust to kill them. that is probably the white powder he used. The critters will eat any green leaves.

on May 18, 2012 · Like 1
Janet E Harrison, TN

http://rpalulis.hubpages.com/hub/Natural-Way...
THERE'S A GREAT VIDEO ON THIS SITE

on May 18, 2012 · Like 0
LaTrelle F Atlanta, GA

Thank you all so much!!!!. The plants are growing so beautifully, except for all these holes. [Pixie, i found the box and u r correct, that powder is Sevin]. [Cliff, I like your organic solution, so I am going to give the baking soda a try.]

on May 18, 2012 · Like 1
Wendy P Waterford, NY

Japanese Beetles and caterpillers make these marks here in NE NY. The beetle bate works great just make sure you assemble the trap indoors or you will have a swarm of them overhead.

on May 18, 2012 · Like 0
Lisa D Asheville, NC

Have you seen little white moths flying around them...?

on May 18, 2012 · Like 2
Douglas Hunt New Smyrna Beach, FL

Walter's solution, Bt, or Bacillus thuringiensis, is completely safe. It is a naturally occurring bacterium common in soils throughout the world.

on May 19, 2012 · Like 1
Diane B Columbus, IN

Seven Dust, and there is also a Seven Liquid, takes care of critters that eat broad leaf plants.

on May 19, 2012 · Like 1
Mary T Janesville, WI

Have you seen any green "inch" worms on these? And sticky lumps of greenish bug poop (frass)? Probably cabbage looper.

on May 19, 2012 · Like 1
Cliff K Redwood City, CA

Becky H. I don't know. I would say try it. My garden is always in flex and an ongoing experiment. I am trying to keep my garden organic as much as I can because I eat the harvest from the garden. The baking soda is an Amish method. Research the Amish method for grasshoppers and you may find a great way to control them. Good luck.

on May 19, 2012 · Like 0
Pat S Greenfield, MA

Probably slugs and snails chewing on the leaves, put dried crumbled eggshells around the plants and they can't crawl over them.

on May 19, 2012 · Like 1
Susan M San Bernardino, CA

I am no expert, if you look at it early in the morning when pest eat you might be able to tell what is eating it .

on May 19, 2012 · Like 1
LaTrelle F Atlanta, GA

Lisa D (Asheville, NC) - actually I have seen one or two white butterflies, that my dad calls "something", but I can't understand what he is exactly saying [he is 92], but he complains about them flying around

on May 29, 2012 · Like 0
Walter Reeves Decatur, GA

Some people call them "skippers". They are laying eggs on the plant leaves...and the eggs will quickly become caterpillars.

on May 30, 2012 · Like 1
LaTrelle F Atlanta, GA

Thanks so much Walter and Lisa D. I got the BT this weekend and am giving it a try.

on May 31, 2012 · Like 0