Pest identification
What's eating my komatsuna 'torasan'?
Flea beetle (Phyllotreta spp.)
Signs: Small round holes in seedling and young leaves; severe infestations prevent establishment.
Control: Cover with insect-proof mesh from sowing; water well; the fast growth habit of komatsuna means plants can often outpace damage once past the seedling stage.
Cabbage white caterpillar (Pieris rapae / Pieris brassicae)
Signs: Irregular holes and chewed leaf edges; frass on leaves; large larvae can strip a plant quickly.
Control: Exclusion netting; Btk biological spray; hand-pick eggs and larvae from undersides.
Cabbage aphid (Brevicoryne brassicae)
Signs: Grey waxy colonies on shoot tips; distorted growth; honeydew fouling.
Control: Knock off with water; insecticidal soap; remove infested tips; avoid excessive nitrogen.
Slugs and snails
Signs: Ragged holes in lower leaves, especially in damp weather; young plants most at risk.
Control: Iron phosphate pellets; beer traps; hand-pick at dusk; improve drainage.
Keep komatsuna 'torasan' pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Komatsuna 'Torasan' pests — FAQ
What is eating my komatsuna 'torasan'?
Komatsuna 'Torasan' is a fast-growing Japanese mustard spinach with mild brassica pest pressure: flea beetles poke holes in seedlings, caterpillars devour mature leaves, aphids cluster on shoot tips, and slugs attack at ground level. Fast growth gives it resilience, but early protection from flea beetles is essential to get plants established.
How do I get rid of flea beetle (phyllotreta spp.) on komatsuna 'torasan'?
Small round holes in seedling and young leaves; severe infestations prevent establishment. Cover with insect-proof mesh from sowing; water well; the fast growth habit of komatsuna means plants can often outpace damage once past the seedling stage.
How do I get rid of cabbage white caterpillar (pieris rapae / pieris brassicae) on komatsuna 'torasan'?
Irregular holes and chewed leaf edges; frass on leaves; large larvae can strip a plant quickly. Exclusion netting; Btk biological spray; hand-pick eggs and larvae from undersides.
How do I get rid of cabbage aphid (brevicoryne brassicae) on komatsuna 'torasan'?
Grey waxy colonies on shoot tips; distorted growth; honeydew fouling. Knock off with water; insecticidal soap; remove infested tips; avoid excessive nitrogen.
How do I get rid of slugs and snails on komatsuna 'torasan'?
Ragged holes in lower leaves, especially in damp weather; young plants most at risk. Iron phosphate pellets; beer traps; hand-pick at dusk; improve drainage.