Pest identification
What's eating my walking stick kale?
Large white butterfly caterpillars (Pieris brassicae)
Signs: Leaves skeletonised; large yellow egg batches under leaves; frass visible on stems
Control: Spray Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis) every 1–2 weeks June–September; hand-pick eggs; yellow sticky traps for adults
Cabbage aphid (Brevicoryne brassicae)
Signs: Dense waxy colonies on upper stems and leaf undersides; leaves wilt and plants weakened on tall stalks
Control: Insecticidal soap spray; encourage natural predators; knock off with water jets from below
Pigeons (Columba palumbus)
Signs: Lower and mid-stem leaves stripped; damage worsens in hard winters when other food is scarce
Control: Drape garden fleece or bird-scarer ribbons around plants; cage the lower section if possible
Cabbage root fly (Delia radicum)
Signs: Larvae attack roots in the first season, causing wilting and poor establishment of young plants
Control: Brassica collar discs at transplanting; row cover around the base; crop rotation
Keep walking stick kale pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Walking Stick Kale pests — FAQ
What is eating my walking stick kale?
Walking stick kale (Jersey Kale) grows up to 3 m tall over a long season, giving pests extended access. Caterpillars and cabbage white butterflies are the most damaging; pigeons strip lower leaves all winter. The tall open habit makes netting difficult, so many growers rely on Bt sprays and manual control instead.
How do I get rid of large white butterfly caterpillars (pieris brassicae) on walking stick kale?
Leaves skeletonised; large yellow egg batches under leaves; frass visible on stems Spray Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis) every 1–2 weeks June–September; hand-pick eggs; yellow sticky traps for adults
How do I get rid of cabbage aphid (brevicoryne brassicae) on walking stick kale?
Dense waxy colonies on upper stems and leaf undersides; leaves wilt and plants weakened on tall stalks Insecticidal soap spray; encourage natural predators; knock off with water jets from below
How do I get rid of pigeons (columba palumbus) on walking stick kale?
Lower and mid-stem leaves stripped; damage worsens in hard winters when other food is scarce Drape garden fleece or bird-scarer ribbons around plants; cage the lower section if possible
How do I get rid of cabbage root fly (delia radicum) on walking stick kale?
Larvae attack roots in the first season, causing wilting and poor establishment of young plants Brassica collar discs at transplanting; row cover around the base; crop rotation