What's eating my kohlrabi 'kossak'?

Kohlrabi 'Kossak' is targeted by cabbage worms, flea beetles, aphids, and slugs. The enlarged swollen stem also attracts rabbits and deer. Flea beetles are the most damaging early-season pest, riddling seedling leaves with tiny holes. Row covers at planting offer broad-spectrum defense across all major threats.

Tiny round holes scattered across leaves, especially on young seedlings; heavy feeding stunts establishment Cover with fine mesh row cover immediately after transplanting; apply diatomaceous earth around the base; spinosad spray for heavy infestations

Ragged holes chewed through leaves by pale green caterpillars; frass visible on foliage Hand-pick eggs and caterpillars; spray Bacillus thuringiensis var. kurstaki (Bt-k) at first sign; row covers exclude the white butterfly

Dense grey-green colonies on undersides of leaves; leaves curl and yellow; sticky honeydew attracts sooty mold Blast off with a strong jet of water; apply insecticidal soap; encourage ladybirds and parasitic wasps

Irregular ragged holes in leaves overnight, silvery slime trails on soil and foliage Apply iron phosphate slug pellets around plants; remove debris where slugs shelter; go out after dark to hand-collect