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My kale is full of tiny holes made by very small green caterpillars (6-7mm long, 1mm wide). I've noticed small grey/white moths flitting about this year, so maybe they're the caterpillars of those moths. Had no problems last year with caterpillars and saw no moths either. Should I get rid of them with an insecticide? What if I just leave them? I'm quite new to veggie growing and didn't experience any problems last year apart from flea beetle on my overgrown rocket.
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Could it be the Diamondback moth infestation we've been warned about?He-Pep! -
Diamondback Moth - Pest Identification for Vegetable GardensOriginally posted by bario1 View PostComment
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Well, I've certainly noticed a lot of moths. Thanks, bario1.Originally posted by bario1 View Post
A quick Google (although I'd rather ask on this forum for more reliability) suggests a pesticide containing a bacteria called Bacillus Thuringiensis (or BT) to take care of the caterpillars. Any thoughts on this, anyone?Last edited by TeaMonsta; 15-07-2016, 04:00 PM.Comment
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Is there too many to pick off by hand?Comment
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To be honest, I hadn't considered that and haven't really noted the numbers; just that they are there. I'll pop out now and have a look......Originally posted by Scarlet View PostComment
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.....Only found a few. But there are ALOT of leaves to check - I'd be there all day. I'm wondering whether just to sacrifice the leaves that come while the moths and caterpillars are about and wait for the colder months when they've gone to start harvesting. Providing the plants survive, of course.Comment
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A good picking over now, and some debris netting over the kale afterwards would give them a fighting chance.Comment
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Squash them ALL.
Where are you TM? Need to know if I should keep a better lookout.Comment
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After you've squashed them all,check them again the next day & there's more. It's because they're so small & difficult to find. Some are cocooned in webbing attached to the leaf depending what stage of development & they can dangle off the leaf edges by their webbing so I squash them onto the leaf & leave the mess on there hoping they exude a pheromone deterring any more,I think the sparrows find them though,or they're using my Brussel sprout leaves as trampolines for fun?Location : EssexComment
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I use a cut down paint brush to brush them off / Kill them.
Cutting the paint brush down makes it firm enough to squash them if they are holed up in any curly parts of the leaves.Comment
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biological control
Mine is full of holes too. Ive assumed the codling moth all alone for some time. Ive reverted to the biological method now - Nemasys to cover many problems over the plot. Between the slugs, the aphids, moths, caterpillar, fungals, birds its been a challenge for my first year.Comment
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