Pest identification
What's eating my savoy cabbage?
Cabbage Root Fly (Delia radicum)
Signs: Plants wilt and turn blue-grey despite watering; white legless maggots found tunnelling into roots and stem base when lifted.
Control: Fit 60 cm diameter brassica collars flat on the soil around each stem at transplanting to block egg-laying; grow under fine mesh; rotate crops annually.
Cabbage White Caterpillars (Pieris brassicae / P. rapae)
Signs: Large, irregular holes through outer and heart leaves; yellow, black and white caterpillars in groups; frass on foliage.
Control: Check undersides for egg batches weekly; hand-pick caterpillars; apply Bt spray; cover with fine insect-proof mesh from planting.
Mealy Cabbage Aphid
Signs: Dense grey waxy colonies on outer leaves and into heart; severe yellowing and head deformation.
Control: Blast off with water; insecticidal soap; pyrethrin spray; destroy colonies by gloved hand while small.
Slugs & Snails
Signs: Holes in young transplants; damage to heart leaves where moisture accumulates between the crinkled surfaces.
Control: Iron phosphate pellets; beer traps; copper tape on raised beds; collect by torch after dark.
Keep savoy cabbage pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Savoy Cabbage pests — FAQ
What is eating my savoy cabbage?
Savoy cabbage is one of the most pest-attractive brassicas, targeted by caterpillars, aphids, cabbage root fly, and slugs. Its crinkled, textured leaves provide ideal shelter for pests. Pigeons attack plants in winter. Cabbage root fly is the most damaging threat as it attacks underground and can kill plants without visible warning.
How do I get rid of cabbage root fly (delia radicum) on savoy cabbage?
Plants wilt and turn blue-grey despite watering; white legless maggots found tunnelling into roots and stem base when lifted. Fit 60 cm diameter brassica collars flat on the soil around each stem at transplanting to block egg-laying; grow under fine mesh; rotate crops annually.
How do I get rid of cabbage white caterpillars (pieris brassicae / p. rapae) on savoy cabbage?
Large, irregular holes through outer and heart leaves; yellow, black and white caterpillars in groups; frass on foliage. Check undersides for egg batches weekly; hand-pick caterpillars; apply Bt spray; cover with fine insect-proof mesh from planting.
How do I get rid of mealy cabbage aphid on savoy cabbage?
Dense grey waxy colonies on outer leaves and into heart; severe yellowing and head deformation. Blast off with water; insecticidal soap; pyrethrin spray; destroy colonies by gloved hand while small.
How do I get rid of slugs & snails on savoy cabbage?
Holes in young transplants; damage to heart leaves where moisture accumulates between the crinkled surfaces. Iron phosphate pellets; beer traps; copper tape on raised beds; collect by torch after dark.