Pest identification
What's eating my lacinato kale?
Large white and small white butterfly caterpillars (Pieris brassicae, P. rapae)
Signs: Leaves skeletonised down to mid-ribs; pale-green frass pellets throughout the plant
Control: Fine-mesh insect netting (most effective); hand-pick eggs and caterpillars; apply Bt spray
Cabbage aphid (Brevicoryne brassicae)
Signs: Dense waxy grey-green colonies on undersides and growing tips; leaves curl and plants are stunted
Control: Blast off with strong water jets; insecticidal soap spray; encourage ladybirds and hoverflies
Pigeons (Columba palumbus)
Signs: Leaves stripped to bare stalks; damage can be total in a single morning, especially winter–spring
Control: Rigid cage netting is the only reliable solution; bird-scarer ribbons help short-term
Flea beetle (Phyllotreta spp.)
Signs: Shot-holes in seedling and young leaves; severe in warm, dry spells after sowing
Control: Row cover at sowing; transplant larger stocky plants; water seedlings regularly to reduce stress
Keep lacinato kale pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Lacinato Kale pests — FAQ
What is eating my lacinato kale?
Lacinato (Dinosaur/Cavolo Nero) kale is a brassica magnet for caterpillars — particularly large white and small white butterflies — which can skeletonise plants rapidly. Cabbage aphids cluster on undersides and growing tips. Pigeons are a serious all-season pest in UK gardens. Flea beetles attack seedlings, and cabbage root fly affects transplants.
How do I get rid of large white and small white butterfly caterpillars (pieris brassicae, p. rapae) on lacinato kale?
Leaves skeletonised down to mid-ribs; pale-green frass pellets throughout the plant Fine-mesh insect netting (most effective); hand-pick eggs and caterpillars; apply Bt spray
How do I get rid of cabbage aphid (brevicoryne brassicae) on lacinato kale?
Dense waxy grey-green colonies on undersides and growing tips; leaves curl and plants are stunted Blast off with strong water jets; insecticidal soap spray; encourage ladybirds and hoverflies
How do I get rid of pigeons (columba palumbus) on lacinato kale?
Leaves stripped to bare stalks; damage can be total in a single morning, especially winter–spring Rigid cage netting is the only reliable solution; bird-scarer ribbons help short-term
How do I get rid of flea beetle (phyllotreta spp.) on lacinato kale?
Shot-holes in seedling and young leaves; severe in warm, dry spells after sowing Row cover at sowing; transplant larger stocky plants; water seedlings regularly to reduce stress