Pest identification
What's eating my tat soi 'yukina savoy'?
Flea beetle (Phyllotreta cruciferae / P. striolata)
Signs: Tiny round shot-holes across the entire leaf surface; warm dry conditions trigger mass emergence; seedlings can be killed outright.
Control: Row covers from day of sowing; kaolin clay (Surround WP) applied weekly; delayed planting to autumn when beetle pressure drops; spinosad (Entrust) for heavy infestations.
Slugs and snails (Deroceras / Arion / Cornu spp.)
Signs: Large ragged holes and slime trails; the flat rosette sits close to the soil, making leaves especially accessible overnight.
Control: Iron phosphate pellets around the bed; copper tape barriers; encourage ground beetles by mulching lightly and maintaining habitat.
Cabbage aphid (Brevicoryne brassicae) and green peach aphid (Myzus persicae)
Signs: Colonies on leaf undersides and young stems; sticky honeydew; curling and yellowing of the small inner leaves.
Control: Strong water jet to dislodge; insecticidal soap; introduce or encourage ladybirds and parasitic wasps.
Imported cabbageworm (Pieris rapae)
Signs: Green caterpillars blend into leaves; chew holes that enlarge rapidly; frass visible in the centre of the rosette.
Control: Hand-pick; Bt kurstaki spray in the evening when larvae are active; row covers prevent the butterfly from laying eggs.
Keep tat soi 'yukina savoy' pest-free
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Tat Soi 'Yukina Savoy' pests — FAQ
What is eating my tat soi 'yukina savoy'?
Tat Soi 'Yukina Savoy' is most heavily attacked by flea beetles, which riddle the spoon-shaped leaves with shot-holes. Its low, rosette habit makes it easy for slugs to reach. Aphids and caterpillars also strike. Row covers and Bt sprays are the core defence.
How do I get rid of flea beetle (phyllotreta cruciferae / p. striolata) on tat soi 'yukina savoy'?
Tiny round shot-holes across the entire leaf surface; warm dry conditions trigger mass emergence; seedlings can be killed outright. Row covers from day of sowing; kaolin clay (Surround WP) applied weekly; delayed planting to autumn when beetle pressure drops; spinosad (Entrust) for heavy infestations.
How do I get rid of slugs and snails (deroceras / arion / cornu spp.) on tat soi 'yukina savoy'?
Large ragged holes and slime trails; the flat rosette sits close to the soil, making leaves especially accessible overnight. Iron phosphate pellets around the bed; copper tape barriers; encourage ground beetles by mulching lightly and maintaining habitat.
How do I get rid of cabbage aphid (brevicoryne brassicae) and green peach aphid (myzus persicae) on tat soi 'yukina savoy'?
Colonies on leaf undersides and young stems; sticky honeydew; curling and yellowing of the small inner leaves. Strong water jet to dislodge; insecticidal soap; introduce or encourage ladybirds and parasitic wasps.
How do I get rid of imported cabbageworm (pieris rapae) on tat soi 'yukina savoy'?
Green caterpillars blend into leaves; chew holes that enlarge rapidly; frass visible in the centre of the rosette. Hand-pick; Bt kurstaki spray in the evening when larvae are active; row covers prevent the butterfly from laying eggs.