Cross-striped cabbageworm on cabbage, broccoli and kale
Because the eggs are laid in clusters, the caterpillars feed as a group on one plant, often in the terminal bud, while the next plant can be clean. Spray the infested plants thoroughly, including the bud and leaf undersides, while the larvae are small. In a two-year collard field trial (Ghani & Bilbo 2026), both Bt and bifenthrin sprays effectively managed a 2023 cross-striped cabbageworm outbreak. Check the product label: the Thuricide home concentrate, for one, does not name this pest.
At a glance
- Damage
- Buds and young leaves riddled with holes; single plants skeletonised while neighbours are clean
- Type
- Chewing
- Settings
- Field, Garden
- Threshold
- Treat at 5% of plants infested (UMass, commercial)
- Ally
- Bacillus thuringiensis kurstaki
- Rate
- Label rate — DiPel DF lists cross-striped cabbageworm; 0.5–2 lb per acre on leafy brassicas. The Thuricide home label does not list it
How to confirm it
Several caterpillars together on one plant, up to ¾ inch (19 mm) long. They are bluish-grey above and green below, with many fine black bands across the back and a yellow line down each side. Look for flat, yellow egg clusters under the leaves and buds riddled with holes.
Identification, lifecycle, degree days and every control option are on the full Cross-striped cabbageworm profile. Not sure it is this pest? Answer four questions about the damage.