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What is it?
Aphids are very tiny soft-bodied insects which suck juice from cabbage family plants. There are many plants in the cabbage family, they include broccoli, brussels sprouts, cauliflower, chinese cabbage, collards, kale, kohlrabi and of course the common cabbage and all are susceptible to aphid damage from brevicoryne brassicae, the cabbage aphid.
What does it look like?
Aphids which attack cabbage family plants are very small, often being smaller than 1/8 inch. Aphids typically have very pale, light green bodies which can often appear grayish because they are so pale. They are soft-bodied insects and can be found on cabbage family plant leaves and stems. They are most commonly found on the undersides of plants in the vegetable garden, but may also be found on the actual heads of the cabbage family plants. In small numbers, you may notice very little plant damage, but in large numbers aphid damage will appear in the form of yellowing leaves which tend to wilt in a downward direction. This wilting often looks like a cup because the edges of the leaves curl inward toward each other. Gardens with aphid damage may also have plants which have a sticky coating on the leaves. Ants are also typically present when aphids are.
How does it manifest?
Aphid infestations can quickly multiply. Actual cabbage plant damage occurs as the aphid feeds off of the plant, sucking out its juices. In it’s wake, the cabbage aphid leaves a sticky coating on leaves known as honeydew or plant sap. This honeydew is a byproduct of the cabbage aphid’s inability to digest all of the plant sugars. Ants are usually present, because they feed on this sticky substance. Aphids can reproduce rapidly, so once infestation begins it is likely to get severe. In the United States, cabbage aphids are active year round and their eggs are able to overwinter on plant debris.
What can you do about it?
As soon as you note either the characteristic honeydew, or the actual presence of cabbage aphids, you should treat your cabbage family plants with diazinon or malathion containing insecticide. Make sure to repeat treatments of insecticide as long as you still see aphids. You can safely repeat treatments in seven day intervals. Also be sure to clean up any plant debris that has fallen in the garden, and at the end of the harvest to prevent overwintering.
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