What's eating my mustard greens 'red giant'?

Mustard Greens 'Red Giant' is a fast-growing spicy leaf green that attracts the full brassica pest complex. Flea beetles riddle leaves with tiny holes most severely at seedling stage, while aphids and cabbage worms cause ongoing damage. Its pungency gives mild deterrence but does not prevent attack. Row covers and Bt-k are the standard controls.

Dense shot-holes across young leaves; seedlings heavily affected; older plants tolerate more feeding but leaf quality suffers Row cover from germination; diatomaceous earth along rows; spinosad spray for severe infestations

Waxy grey colonies clustered on growing tips and leaf undersides; distorted new leaves; reduced yield Strong water jets daily; insecticidal soap; reflective mulch; avoid excessive nitrogen

Irregular holes in large leaves; caterpillar frass on the broad leaf surface; population builds through summer Bt-k spray every 7–10 days; hand-pick caterpillars and egg clusters; row cover before white butterfly emergence

Overnight ragged holes especially in cool, damp conditions; slime trails visible in morning Iron phosphate pellets; remove leaf litter; hand-pick after dark; raised beds with copper barrier