What's eating my rutabaga 'american purple top'?

Rutabaga 'American Purple Top' faces cabbage root fly, flea beetles, imported cabbageworm, and aphids — the standard brassica pest suite. Root fly is the most damaging because larvae destroy the swede directly. Row covers, collars, and three-year crop rotation provide the best combined protection.

Root tunnelling causes sudden wilting and rotting of the flesh; affected roots cannot be stored Fit brassica collars or mesh at soil level; three-year brassica rotation; avoid planting near other brassicas

Small holes riddled through cotyledons and true leaves, weakening seedling establishment Immediate row covers post-sowing; clear crop debris to reduce overwintering adults; delay autumn sowing

Caterpillars chew large holes in outer and inner leaves, stressing developing roots Bt kurstaki spray targeting young larvae; row covers to block egg-laying butterflies