What's eating my 'red russian' kale?

Red Russian Kale's tender, finely cut leaves are irresistible to flea beetles early in the season — tiny shot-holes appear on seedlings almost overnight. Cabbage white caterpillars, aphids, and harlequin bugs in warmer US regions follow. In the UK, slugs and pigeons are persistent threats through the cool growing season.

Dozens of tiny round holes across seedling leaves ('shot-hole' damage); heavy attacks kill transplants or stunts them so severely they never recover. Row covers immediately after transplanting — the single most effective defence. Diatomaceous earth around the base. Spinosad spray for severe infestations. Delay outdoor planting until after peak flea beetle spring flight.

Caterpillars blend with the grey-green leaf colour and eat large irregular holes; frass-stained leaves make leaves hard to wash for salads. Insect-proof mesh netting. Hand-pick eggs from undersides weekly. Apply Bt spray to foliage in the evening to avoid harming pollinators.

Brightly marked black-and-red bug sucks sap, causing white/yellow blotchy patches on leaves; large infestations can kill young kale plants. Hand-pick eggs (barrel-shaped, white with black stripes) from undersides. Remove plant debris after harvest where adults overwinter. Neem oil or kaolin clay on nymphs.