Pest identification
What's eating my mustard greens 'osaka purple'?
Flea beetles (Phyllotreta spp.)
Signs: Tiny round holes across young seedling leaves; heavy pressure at germination can kill seedlings outright
Control: Row cover immediately at sowing; diatomaceous earth as a barrier; pyrethrin or spinosad spray for heavy outbreaks
Cabbage aphids (Brevicoryne brassicae)
Signs: Grey-green waxy colonies on undersides of leaves; growing tips curl inward; honeydew and sooty mold
Control: Insecticidal soap or neem oil; water jets; introduce or preserve parasitic wasps
Imported cabbageworm (Pieris rapae)
Signs: Ragged holes and frass on mature leaves; caterpillars blend against green veining
Control: Weekly Bt-k application; hand-pick; row cover excludes the adult butterfly
Wood pigeons (Columba palumbus) — UK
Signs: Leaves torn back to midribs; entire young plants defoliated in a short period, especially autumn plantings
Control: Bird-proof netting (25 mm mesh) over the entire bed; physical scarers near the plot
Keep mustard greens 'osaka purple' pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Mustard Greens 'Osaka Purple' pests — FAQ
What is eating my mustard greens 'osaka purple'?
Mustard Greens 'Osaka Purple' faces the standard brassica pest complex. Its red-purple anthocyanin pigments offer no pest resistance. Flea beetles are the primary seedling threat; aphids and caterpillars continue pressure as plants mature. In the UK, pigeons will also strip young plants. Row covers and Bt-k provide reliable control.
How do I get rid of flea beetles (phyllotreta spp.) on mustard greens 'osaka purple'?
Tiny round holes across young seedling leaves; heavy pressure at germination can kill seedlings outright Row cover immediately at sowing; diatomaceous earth as a barrier; pyrethrin or spinosad spray for heavy outbreaks
How do I get rid of cabbage aphids (brevicoryne brassicae) on mustard greens 'osaka purple'?
Grey-green waxy colonies on undersides of leaves; growing tips curl inward; honeydew and sooty mold Insecticidal soap or neem oil; water jets; introduce or preserve parasitic wasps
How do I get rid of imported cabbageworm (pieris rapae) on mustard greens 'osaka purple'?
Ragged holes and frass on mature leaves; caterpillars blend against green veining Weekly Bt-k application; hand-pick; row cover excludes the adult butterfly
How do I get rid of wood pigeons (columba palumbus) — uk on mustard greens 'osaka purple'?
Leaves torn back to midribs; entire young plants defoliated in a short period, especially autumn plantings Bird-proof netting (25 mm mesh) over the entire bed; physical scarers near the plot