1. Insect
  2. Vegetable Crops
  3. Vegetable Crops
  4. Hosts and Pests of Vegetable Crops

Broccoli, Brussels sprout, cabbage, cauliflower-Aphid

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Green peach aphid
Myzus persicae Sulzer
Showing damage on leaves
© Ken Gray Insect Image Collection
Image related to Broccoli, Brussels sprout, cabbage, cauliflower-Aphid
Green peach aphid
Myzus persicae Sulzer
Female adult immature
© Ken Gray Insect Image Collection
Image related to Broccoli, Brussels sprout, cabbage, cauliflower-Aphid
Cabbage aphid
Brevicoryne brassicae Linnaeus
Adult
© Ken Gray Insect Image Collection
Image related to Broccoli, Brussels sprout, cabbage, cauliflower-Aphid
Cabbage aphid
Brevicoryne brassicae Linnaeus
Showing damage on leaves
© Ken Gray Insect Image Collection
Image related to Broccoli, Brussels sprout, cabbage, cauliflower-Aphid
Green peach aphid
Myzus persicae Sulzer
Adult on host
© Ken Gray Insect Image Collection

Includes

Cabbage aphid (Brevicoryne brassicae)
Green peach aphid (Myzus persicae)
Turnip aphid (Hyadaphis erysimi)

Pest description and crop damage The cabbage aphid is green-gray with a waxy bloom. It forms dense colonies that cannot be removed before processing or marketing. The cabbage aphid is the primary contaminant for harvested broccoli, sprout, cabbage, and cauliflower.

The turnip aphid looks very much like the cabbage aphid but lacks the waxy bloom. It tends to be more evenly distributed over plants.

The green peach aphid is slender, dark green to yellow, and lacks a waxy bloom. It is primarily an early year pest. Green peach aphid infestations may result in wilting. The green peach aphid rarely contaminates harvested broccoli, sprout, cabbage, and cauliflower.

Biology and life history

See:

Common Pests of Vegetable Crops

Pest monitoring Check fields frequently after seedling emergence. If aphids become numerous, increase frequency of sampling. Aphids often are concentrated in hot spots or near the field margin. Note the presence of any hot spots, but avoid sampling only those areas. Also, be sure to look for evidence of biological control; i.e., the presence of predators, parasites (aphid mummies), and disease. Aphid flights are most common during periods of moderate temperatures (60° to 80°F). Monitor fields particularly closely during April and May.

Management-biological control

Many parasites and predators attack aphids. Early year aphids have many natural enemies that frequently bring them under control later in the year. Among the more common predators are lady beetles and their larvae, lacewing larvae, and syrphid fly larvae. Populations of green peach aphids are reduced in winter by a parasitic fungus, Entomophthora aphidis.

Monitor the proportion of aphid mummies relative to unparasitized aphids and the numbers of predators such as lady beetles. If the proportion of mummies is increasing, or predators appear to be gaining control, and aphid populations are not yet damaging, avoid sprays that will disrupt these natural enemies if the crop is not in a susceptible stage. Most materials available for aphid control are highly disruptive of natural enemy populations.

Management-cultural control

Destroy infested crops immediately after harvest to prevent dispersal. Destroying weed hosts late in the year may help destroy overwintering populations. Aphid populations tend to be higher in crops that are fertilized liberally with nitrogen. Roguing diseased plants early may help slow the spread of aphid-vectored diseases. Home gardeners can often get effective control by washing aphids with a strong stream of water.

Management-chemical control: HOME USE

Apply when aphid first appear; repeat at 8- to 10-day intervals as allowed per label.

  • acetamiprid
  • azadirachtin (neem oil)-Some formulations are OMRI-listed for organic use.
  • bifenthrin (often as a mix with zeta-cypermethrin)
  • capsaicin-Some formulations are OMRI-listed for organic use.
  • carbaryl
  • cyfluthrin
  • esfenvalerate-Do not use on Brussels sprout.
  • gamma-cyhalothrin
  • horticultural oil -Some formulations OMRI-listed for organic use.
  • imidacloprid
  • lambda-cyhalothrin
  • insecticidal soap-Some formulations OMRI-listed for organic use.
  • malathion
  • permethrin
  • plant essential oils and extracts (such as clove, garlic and rosemary oils)-Some formulations are OMRI-listed for organic use.
  • pyrethrins (often combined with other ingredients)-Some formulations are OMRI-listed for organic use.
  • zeta-cypermethrin

Management-chemical control: COMMERCIAL USE

  • acephate (Acephate 90WDG) at 0.5 to 1.0 lb ai/A. PHI 14 days. REI 24 hr. Do not exceed 2 lb ai/A per season. Retreatment interval 7 days. Do not feed trimmings to livestock or allow animals to graze in treated areas. Brussels sprout and cauliflower only.
  • acetamiprid (Assail 30SG) at 0.038 to 0.075 lb ai/A. PHI 7 days. REI 12 hr. Do not exceed 0.375 lb ai/A per year. Do not exceed five applications per season. Retreatment interval 7 days.
  • alpha-cypermethrin (Fastac EC) at 0.02 to 0.025 lb ai/A. PHI 1 day. REI 12 hr. Retreatment interval 7 days. Do not exceed 0.075 lb ai/A per season.
  • azadirachtin (Neemix 4.5) at 0.030 to 0.048 lb ai/A. PHI 0 days. REI 4 hr. OMRI-listed for organic use. Not registered for use in OR.
  • Beauveria bassiana (Mycotrol ESO) at 0.25 to 1 quart/A. REI 4 hr. PHI 0 days. OMRI-listed for organic use.
  • beta-cyfluthrin/imidacloprid (Leverage 360) at 0.07 lb ai/A. PHI 7 days. REI 12 hr. Retreatment interval 7 days. Do not exceed 0.1 lb ai/A beta-cyfluthrin or 0.2 lb ai/A imidacloprid per season.
  • bifenthrin (Sniper, Brigade WSB) at 0.033 to 0.1 lb ai/A. PHI 7 days. REI 12 hr. Do not exceed 0.5 lb ai/A per year. Do not exceed five applications after bloom. Retreatment interval 7 days.
  • bifenthrin/imidacloprid (Brigadier) at 0.06 to 0.095 lb ai/A. PHI 7 days. REI 12 hr. Do not exceed 0.24 lb ai/A imidacloprid and 0.24 lb ai/A bifenthrin as a foliar application. Retreatment interval 7 days. Maximum 5 treatments only after bloom.
  • bifenthrin/zeta-cypermethrin (Hero EW) at 0.04 to 0.1 lb ai/A. PHI 7 days. REI 12 hr. Retreatment interval 7 days. Do not exceed 0.45 lb/A per season. Limit 5 applications after bloom.
  • chlorantraniliprole/thiamethoxam (Voliam Flexi) at 0.1 to 0.175 lb ai/A. PHI 3 days. REI 12 hr. Retreatment interval 7 days. Do not exceed 0.172 lb ai of thiamethoxam or 0.2 lb ai of chlorantraniliprole per acre per growing season.
  • chlorantraniliprole/thiamethoxam (Durivo) at 0.195 to 0.257 lb ai/A applied to the soil. PHI 30 days. REI 12 hr. Do not exceed a total of 0.172 lb ai of thiamethoxam products or 0.2 lb ai of chlorantraniliprole per acre per growing season.
  • clothianidin (Belay) at 0.05 to 0.067 lb ai/A foliar or at 0.15 to 0.2 lb ai/A soil applied. PHI 7 days foliar, 21 days soil. REI 12 hr. Do not exceed 0.2 lb ai/A per season. Foliar retreatment interval 10 days.
  • Chromobacterium subtsugae (Grandevo) at 0.6 to 0.9 lb ai/A per 100 gal. PHI 0 days. REI 4 hr. OMRI-listed for organic use.
  • cyantraniliprole (Exirel) at 0.088 to 0.133 lb ai/A. PHI 1 day. REI 12 hr. Retreatment interval 5 days. Do not exceed 0.4 lb ai/A per year.
  • cypermethrin (Holster) at 0.05 to 0.1 lb ai/A. PHI 1 day. REI 12 hr. Retreatment interval 7 days. Do not exceed 0.6 lb ai/A per season.
  • dimethoate (Dimethoate 400) at 0.25 to 0.5 lb ai/A. PHI 7 days broccoli and cauliflower; 10 days Brussels sprout. REI 48 hr; 72 hr where rainfall is below 25 inches per year. Do not exceed 1.5 lb ai/A per season. Retreatment interval 7 days. Not registered for use on cabbage.
  • dinotefuran (Scorpion 35SL) at 0.05 to 0.18 lb ai/A as foliar spray, at 0.23 to 0.27 lb ai/A as soil treatment. PHI 1 day for foliar; 21 days for soil. REI 12 hr. Retreatment interval 7 days. Do not exceed 0.266 lb ai/A foliar or 0.532 lb ai/A soil per season. Suppression only.
  • flonicamid (Beleaf 50SG) at 0.062 to 0.089 lb ai/A. PHI 0 days. REI 12 hr. Do not exceed 0.267 lb ai/A per season. Limit 3 applications per year. Retreatment interval 7 days.
  • flupyradifurone (Sivanto 200SL) at 0.091 to 0.157 lb ai/A. PHI 1 day. REI 4 hr. Retreatment interval 7 days. Do not exceed 0.365 lb ai/A per season. Limit 3 treatments per season.
  • imidacloprid (Admire Pro) at 0.16 to 0.38 lb ai/A soil application or at 0.046 lb ai/A foliar. PHI foliar 7 days; soil 21 days. REI 12 hr. Do not exceed 0.38 lb ai/A soil or 0.23 lb ai/A foliar per year. Retreatment interval 5 days.
  • imidacloprid (Prey 1.6) at 0.049 lb ai/A. PHI 7 days. REI 12 hr. Do not use more than 0.23 lb ai/A per year. Retreatment interval 5 days.
  • insecticidal soap (M-Pede) at 1 to 2% solution. Potassium salts of fatty acids. See label for rate. PHI 0 days. REI 12 hr.
  • lambda-cyhalothrin (Warrior II) at 0.02 to 0.03 lb ai/A. PHI 1 day. REI 24 hr. Retreatment interval 5 days. Do not exceed 0.24 lb ai/A per year.
  • lambda-cyhalothrin/thiamethoxam (Endigo ZC) at 0.064 to 0.072 lb ai/A. PHI 1 day. REI 24 hr. Retreatment interval 7 days. Do not exceed 0.24 lb ai of lambda-cyhalothrin or 0.172 lb ai/A of thiamethoxam per season.
  • malathion (Malathion 8 Flowable) at 1.25 lb ai/A. PHI 2 days for broccoli, Brussels sprout, cauliflower; 7 days for cabbage. REI 48 hr. Retreatment interval 7 days. Limit 2 treatments per year.
  • naled (Dibrom 8) at 0.9 lb ai/A. PHI 1 day. REI 48 hr. Do not exceed 9.4 lb ai/A per year. Retreatment interval 7 days. Limit 5 applications.
  • pymetrozine (Fulfill) at 0.086 lb ai/A. PHI 7 days. REI 12 hr. A penetrative adjuvant may improve control. Retreatment interval 7 days. Do not exceed 0.17 lb ai/A per season. Not registered for use in Oregon on this crop.
  • pyrifluquinazon (PQZ Insecticide) at 0.035 to 0.047 lb ai/A. PHI 1 day. REI 12 hr. Limit 6 treatments. Retreatment interval 7 days. Do not exceed 0.21 lb ai/A per year. Apply by ground equipment.
  • spirotetramat (Movento) at 0.06 to 0.08 lb ai/A. PHI 1 day. REI 24 hr. Reentry interval 7 days. Do not exceed 3 applications totaling 10 fl oz per acre per year.
  • sulfoxaflor (Closer SC) at 0.023 to 0.031 lb ai/A. PHI 3 days. REI 12 hr. Limit 4 treatments. Do not exceed 0.266 lb ai/A per year.
  • thiamethoxam (Actara) at 0.023 to 0.047 lb ai/A. PHI 0 days. REI 12 hr. Retreatment interval 7 days. Do not exceed 0.172 lb ai/A per season.
  • thiamethoxam (Platinum) at 0.078 to 0.172 lb ai/A soil applied. PHI 30 days. REI 12 hr. Do not exceed 0.172 lb ai/A per season. Apply to the soil as in-furrow spray, band application, drench, shanked or with drip irrigation.
  • tolfenpyrad (Torac) at 0.17 to 0.21 lb ai/A. PHI 1 day. REI 12 hr. Retreatment interval 14 days. Limit 4 treatments. Do not exceed 0.42 lb/A per year. Ground application only.
  • zeta-cypermethrin (Mustang) at 0.04 to 0.05 lb ai/A. PHI 1 day. REI 12 hr. Retreatment interval 7 days. Do not exceed 0.3 lb ai/A per year.