Marissa Schuh, IPM Extension Educator, mschuh@umn.edu As early-planted cole crops continue to chug through the growing season, all the insect pests that love to eat them are also out. Let’s review who we’re seeing now and if we can do anything about them. Cabbage Maggot Cabbage maggot feed on the roots, weakening and often killing plants. Photo: Marissa Schuh, UMN Extension. Can anything be done now? No. You’re busy, so let’s cut to the chase: once you see cabbage maggot feeding in the roots, there isn’t much to be done. Make a note to brush up on cabbage maggot control options next winter and try something different next spring. Flea Beetles Flea beetle feeding causes numerous, small holes in leaves. Photo: Whitney Cranshaw, Colorado State University, Bugwood.org Can anything be done now? Yes. This is a pest that we do have options for, though the window for much of the feeding has passed. The larger the crops are, the more resistant they are to feeding, thoug...
