Cabbage White Butterfly

Editorial diagnosis

Diagnosis overview

The cabbage white butterfly is common on brassicas. The caterpillars cause the real damage by feeding on leaves and weakening young plants.

In gardens, Cabbage White Butterfly can occur on plants including cauliflower, Napa cabbage, kale, Komatsuna. In the available profiles, it is linked mainly with Asian greens, Brassicas, Cabbages. Recorded timing or triggers include May to October, Months: 6, 7, 8.

The recorded risk level is medium. Young brassicas should be protected quickly when caterpillars are present.

Inspect leaf undersides, shoot tips, and the soil around the plant at different times of day. Eggs, larvae, droppings, webbing, or slime trails are often more diagnostic than one damaged leaf.

A common mistake is to treat feeding damage without checking the animal, eggs, larvae, time of activity, and affected plant parts.