ScientificName: Pieris rapae
Description: Caterpillars that are green with a light yellow stripe down their back. They have five pairs of visible legs.
Habitat/Food: Cabbageworms will eat the foliage of cabbage, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, and many other related plants.
Life Cycle: Female butterflies lay their eggs on leaves. They hatch within 3-5 days and then feeding begins. Pupation should occur in the general vicinity of the host plant.
Organic Control: Bacillus thuringiensis (BT) should be sprayed when the caterpillars are feeding.
Interesting Fact: Imported cabbageworms are very common to all parts of the United States and Canada. Introduced into the New World in 1860 from Europe, within 20 years it spread throughout the entire eastern United States.