Pest identification
What's eating my chinese cabbage 'michihili'?
Imported cabbageworm (Pieris rapae) and cabbage looper (Trichoplusia ni)
Signs: Larvae chew large irregular holes; they can bore into the centre of the forming head, making it inedible; green frass is a tell-tale sign.
Control: Spray Bt kurstaki at first sign; hand-pick and destroy eggs (pale yellow, ribbed); row covers prevent egg-laying.
Cabbage root fly (Delia radicum)
Signs: Roots tunnelled by white maggots; plants wilt and topple despite watering; red-tinged outer leaves are a classic symptom.
Control: Brassica collars around stem base at transplanting; fine mesh row covers; beneficial nematodes (Steinernema feltiae) watered into soil.
Flea beetle (Phyllotreta spp.)
Signs: Dense shot-holing of seedling leaves; severe attack stunts germination-stage plants before they can establish.
Control: Row covers from sowing; delay thinning until plants are 10 cm tall; kaolin clay (Surround WP) as a physical deterrent.
Aphids — cabbage aphid (Brevicoryne brassicae)
Signs: Dense grey-green colonies on leaf undersides and inside heading leaves; secreted waxy powder and honeydew; distorts young growth.
Control: Knock off with a strong water jet; insecticidal soap spray; encourage parasitic wasps by planting umbellifers nearby.
Keep chinese cabbage 'michihili' pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Chinese Cabbage 'Michihili' pests — FAQ
What is eating my chinese cabbage 'michihili'?
Chinese Cabbage 'Michihili' shares the full brassica pest complex: cabbage root fly, caterpillars, flea beetles, slugs, and aphids. Its tall, dense head can trap aphid colonies inside. Row covers fitted from day of sowing are the single most effective defence.
How do I get rid of imported cabbageworm (pieris rapae) and cabbage looper (trichoplusia ni) on chinese cabbage 'michihili'?
Larvae chew large irregular holes; they can bore into the centre of the forming head, making it inedible; green frass is a tell-tale sign. Spray Bt kurstaki at first sign; hand-pick and destroy eggs (pale yellow, ribbed); row covers prevent egg-laying.
How do I get rid of cabbage root fly (delia radicum) on chinese cabbage 'michihili'?
Roots tunnelled by white maggots; plants wilt and topple despite watering; red-tinged outer leaves are a classic symptom. Brassica collars around stem base at transplanting; fine mesh row covers; beneficial nematodes (Steinernema feltiae) watered into soil.
How do I get rid of flea beetle (phyllotreta spp.) on chinese cabbage 'michihili'?
Dense shot-holing of seedling leaves; severe attack stunts germination-stage plants before they can establish. Row covers from sowing; delay thinning until plants are 10 cm tall; kaolin clay (Surround WP) as a physical deterrent.
How do I get rid of aphids — cabbage aphid (brevicoryne brassicae) on chinese cabbage 'michihili'?
Dense grey-green colonies on leaf undersides and inside heading leaves; secreted waxy powder and honeydew; distorts young growth. Knock off with a strong water jet; insecticidal soap spray; encourage parasitic wasps by planting umbellifers nearby.