Pest identification
What's eating my kohlrabi 'winner'?
Flea beetles (Phyllotreta spp.)
Signs: Shot-hole damage to cotyledons and young leaves; seedlings can be fatally weakened in high-pressure years
Control: Fine mesh row cover placed immediately at transplanting; remove only to harvest
Cabbage looper (Trichoplusia ni)
Signs: Looping green caterpillars eat large holes in outer leaves; can reach the swelling bulb surface
Control: Bt-k spray at egg hatch; hand-pick; spinosad for heavier populations
Cabbage aphids (Brevicoryne brassicae)
Signs: Dense colonies on leaf undersides and new growth; premature yellowing and wilting
Control: Insecticidal soap spray; reflective mulch confuses alate aphids; remove heavily colonized leaves
Rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus / Sylvilagus spp.)
Signs: Stems nipped cleanly at soil level; entire young plants removed overnight
Control: Hardware cloth cylinder around individual plants or perimeter fencing at least 60 cm high with 15 cm buried
Keep kohlrabi 'winner' pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Kohlrabi 'Winner' pests — FAQ
What is eating my kohlrabi 'winner'?
Kohlrabi 'Winner' is an early, fast-maturing variety and faces the full Brassica pest complex. Quick maturity reduces exposure time to caterpillars and aphids, but flea beetles remain a significant seedling threat. Rabbits will eat young plants readily. Row covers from transplanting to harvest offer the best protection.
How do I get rid of flea beetles (phyllotreta spp.) on kohlrabi 'winner'?
Shot-hole damage to cotyledons and young leaves; seedlings can be fatally weakened in high-pressure years Fine mesh row cover placed immediately at transplanting; remove only to harvest
How do I get rid of cabbage looper (trichoplusia ni) on kohlrabi 'winner'?
Looping green caterpillars eat large holes in outer leaves; can reach the swelling bulb surface Bt-k spray at egg hatch; hand-pick; spinosad for heavier populations
How do I get rid of cabbage aphids (brevicoryne brassicae) on kohlrabi 'winner'?
Dense colonies on leaf undersides and new growth; premature yellowing and wilting Insecticidal soap spray; reflective mulch confuses alate aphids; remove heavily colonized leaves
How do I get rid of rabbits (oryctolagus cuniculus / sylvilagus spp.) on kohlrabi 'winner'?
Stems nipped cleanly at soil level; entire young plants removed overnight Hardware cloth cylinder around individual plants or perimeter fencing at least 60 cm high with 15 cm buried