What's eating my red cabbage?

Red cabbage is most threatened by caterpillars (cabbage white butterfly larvae), which shred leaves down to ribs. Aphids, cabbage root fly, and slugs also attack. Pigeons and rabbits will demolish young plants. Use netting as your first line of defence and inspect regularly for egg clusters on leaf undersides.

Ragged holes in outer leaves and heart; black frass visible; entire leaves stripped to mid-rib on heavy infestations Cover with fine insect-proof mesh (0.8 mm) from transplanting; hand-pick egg clusters (pale yellow, laid in groups) and caterpillars; apply Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) spray as a biological control

Dense grey-white colonies on leaf undersides and stems; leaves pucker, curl and turn yellow; sticky honeydew promotes sooty mould Blast off with a strong jet of water; encourage parasitic wasps and ladybirds; spray with insecticidal soap or neem oil if colonies persist; remove heavily infested leaves

Larvae tunnel into and around roots, causing plants to wilt and collapse despite adequate watering; roots show white maggots when lifted Fit brassica collars (10–12 cm discs of carpet underlay or cardboard) around the stem base at planting to prevent egg-laying; use fine mesh to exclude adults

Irregular holes in outer leaves, especially at night and after rain; silvery slime trails on leaves and soil Apply ferric phosphate pellets (wildlife-safe); set beer traps; use copper tape around raised beds; go out at night with a torch and hand-pick