I have known for some time that something has been enjoying my lettuce and kale, and it is not me. It begins just about the time I am ready to pick those first few tender leaves. It start with little holes in the outer leaves. Within a day or two, most of the leaves are gone, the few that are left look to pitiful to pick and eat. I know I have some sort of garden pest, but I have only a vague idea of what could be doing the damage; white flies or caterpillars, maybe aphids?

Nibbles on the kale. (photos by Pam Allen)

Closeup of damage to lettuce.

Feeling frustrated, and tired of something else enjoying the fruit of my labor, determined to find the culprit, I pulled up all of my lettuce plants this morning. The leaves looked clean, no obvious signs of white flies or aphids. I began to work the soil and there they were, only one or two at first, but then more and more, and more!

Inch worms, aka loopers.

Closeup of loopers.

Okay, so here they are but what ARE they? Are they pest or beneficial bugs? How do I get rid of them? Let the investigation begin.

I logged in to the UC Integrated Pest Management Program website (www.ipm.ucdavis.edu). After an hour or two of clicking, staring at pictures, and reading about all sorts of invertebrate pests, I have determined (right or wrong) that I have an infestation of Trichoplusia ni, or cabbage loopers. So, now that I know the pest, what can I do to control them? According to the website, there is an organic treatment to control cabbage loopers, Bacillus thuringiensis. However, application rates are measured in acres! I am going to take a home-grown approach. I am going to empty and clean my containers that have housed lettuce and fill them up with fresh soil and I will use covers to keep new eggs off my lettuce and kale. Assuming my investigation has led me to the correct pest, I am hopeful, armed with my new knowledge, I can at least slow them down!

Okay, I am ready for my next challenge!