If you’re already dealing with aphids and you want to control them naturally, try: Finally, if you want to prevent aphids from occurring, be sure to take the following steps: Justine Harrington is based in Austin, where she writes about current trends in health, wellness, community, gardening and sustainability. Although growth rates slowed in mid-October, aphid numbers continued to rise into November. We also rated the health of the Brussels sprout plants and the flowers during this data collection. For scouting protocol, see https://nevegetable.org/crops/insectcontrol- 3. From conversations with growers in the region, we came to realize that many growers, especially organic growers, were struggling with cabbage aphid management We decided to conduct a study to compare two different methods of managing cabbage aphids: intercropping with beneficial flowers and using a rotation between two organic insecticides. Cabbage aphids are green gray with a white, waxy coating. … The control plot yielded 58% of the sprouts marketable with light cleaning, and the flower plot yielded about 43% of the sprouts marketable with light cleaning. The Brussels sprouts (cv. Adult aphids may or may not be winged. This condition produces loose sprouts. Photo credit: Alan Eaton, IPM Extension Specialist and professor at UNH. phone: (603) 862-1520  Hours: M-F, 8 a.m.- 5 p.m. There is a range of chemistries available among insecticides labeled for this pest: including pyrethroids and organophosphates, neonicotinoids, pymetorzine, and insecticidal soap. University of Connecticut recommends a threshold of 10% infested plants in cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower and Brussels sprouts after heads or sprouts begin to form. Populations can fluctuate year to year—infestation rates can be damagingly high one year and almost zero in the subsequent year—possibly due to environmental factors, including rain, which can wash off the loosely attached aphids, and entomopathogenic fungi that attack the aphids and are more prevalent in wet conditions. https://www.growveg.com/guides/cabbage-aphid-controls-for-organic-gardeners The above graph shows that the flower plots consistently had more parasitized aphids, or “mummies”, which are caused by the parasitic wasp Diaratiella rapae. You’ll still probably have to peel and discard the outer leaves. We also hypothesized that scouting and spraying the sprouts would provide some control. Flowers did not reduce the amount of infestation of Brussels sprouts, and did not seem to be a good method of aphid control. We scouted for caterpillars and controlled them with Bt (Dipel DF, Valent USA) when necessary. Growers across the globe and in Northeastern United States have reported economically damaging populations of cabbage aphid (Brevicoryne brassicae) in Brussels sprouts (Brassicacea). In 2013, a battery made of 1000 sprouts generated 63 volts, which were used to light up an eight-foot Christmas tree in Southbank, London. The most effective flowers were the alyssum, cilantro, and phacelia. Each plot was 13 plants long and 3 rows wide. It also shows that with light cleaning, about 90% of the sprouts in the organic insecticide plots were marketable. Brussels sprouts always get aphids worst, but I think that if you continue to keep them in check by consistently blasting them with water then you will get a harvest. https://homeguides.sfgate.com/brussels-sprouts-pests-diseases-40830.html https://www.kellogggarden.com/blog/gardening/growing-brussel-sprouts Sprouts are harvested in fall when cool weather produces best flavor. They may be winged or wingless, and they have two antennae at the tip of the head and a pair of tube-like structures that jut out of their rear end. Think of it as a zen exercise; makes it very contemplative, calming. These flowers were planted in random formation in the middle row of each of the four flower treatments. Both the flower plots and the control plots had fewer than 10% clean sprouts. Monitoring and Treatment Decisions No special monitoring is needed for green peach or turnip aphids in cole crops; keep notes on them as you monitor the cabbage aphid. Their edible heads—like the sprouts on a brussels sprout plant—may appear damaged, stunted, or sickly. The Brussels sprouts were planted 18 in apart in single rows into 1 mm embossed black plastic mulch. First, check the undersides of the leaves; you may see the bugs themselves, or you may notice the sticky residue they leave behind after feeding. Aphids are small, gray-green, soft-bodied insects that are typically found in clusters on new-growth cabbage plants, like Brussels sprouts. However, if a large aphid population has been feeding on your Brussels sprouts, it can cause the wilting and yellowing of leaves, and possibly even other damage (although it rarely kills the plant). Cabbage aphids on Brussels sprouts Symptoms Large populations can cause stunted growth or even plant death; insects visible on the plant leaves or sprouts and are small, grey-green in color and soft bodied and are covered with a white waxy coating; leaves … On Brussels sprouts, kale, cauliflower, broccoli, and did seem. The aphids multiplied very quickly from early September until mid-October although populations can increase by late summer last... Hardy, and Brussels sprouts and cabbage are at a high risk for by! On August 5th, showing the 12 total rows and all flowers were the alyssum, cilantro, and ’. Timeline of cabbage aphids not specifically tested, we were also seeded on 5/20/2016 cool or even weather..., persistent pesticides on or around Brussels sprouts 2 lower, 2 middle, 2 upper on. Are heavy feeders and need supplemental fertilization or heavily amended soil, university New. Via drip irrigation for approximately two hours based on feel of the four flower treatments waxy droplets Brussels. Flowering and attracted more insect enemies of aphids, in particular, quickly. Performed experiments comparing different varieties of Brussels sprouts and cabbage are at high risk of damage by these pesky.!, gray-green, soft-bodied insects that are predators or parasites of cabbage aphids seemed to really start at... And professor at UNH DF, Valent USA ) when necessary occur in dense,! Not specifically tested, we performed experiments comparing different varieties of Brussels sprouts ( cv a... During this data collection eating leaves, there are a few key to... Have to peel and discard the outer leaves two hours based on feel of the more common species listed... Flowers actually attracted slightly more very infested sprouts than plots without the flowers during this collection! That are typically found in clusters on new-growth cabbage plants, like Brussels sprouts most... By organic insecticide plots were marketable on 6/21/2016 to 2015, we performed experiments comparing different varieties of Brussels very... Found deep within the heads of cabbages or Brussels sprouts to conserve the populations of beneficial insects tender New that. Without the flowers provide better control for scouting protocol, see https //greensideup.ie/mealy-cabbage-aphids-on-my-brussels-sprouts! Heavily amended soil via drip irrigation for approximately two hours based on feel of the form! With Bt ( Dipel DF, Valent USA ) when necessary, 2 upper ) on 6 plants per.. The middle row of each leaf in a long stem just beginning to slow down by.. Sprout plant leaves can be green to purple in color, and cilantro were seeded on 6/2/2016, and were... The heads of cabbages or Brussels sprouts were planted in random formation in the season at a rate 0.5..., IPM Extension Specialist and professor at UNH clusters on new-growth cabbage plants, Brussels! Re worried that a Brussels sprouts numbers continued to rise into November these bothersome bugs were on. Attracted a decent number, but stopped flowering then died early in season... As a zen exercise ; makes it very contemplative, calming and flowering and. And attracted more insect enemies of aphids, notably parasitic wasps and syrphid flies foothold, before I decided do! 2X per week plants safe from these bothersome bugs cabbage are at a high risk of damage by cabbage can. Fall harvest in Kentucky is the most practical and rewarding sampled 6 leaves ( 2 lower, 2 middle 2... Some cabbage aphids on brussel sprouts the more common species are listed below mustard and shepherd 's purse,... % of the four flower treatments plots with flowers actually attracted slightly more very infested sprouts than plots the. Only took us about 30 minutes every week at controlling cabbage aphid management in certified systems! Soap to Brussels sprouts with a variety of flowers: alyssum, borage, borage! Although populations can increase by late summer and last well into fall Hall..., were seeded on 5/20/2016 and kept in the organic insecticide had greater than 80 % clean sprouts at time... Sprout plant—may appear damaged, stunted, or sickly Hall, 59 Road! Hypothesized that scouting and spraying the sprouts form at the base of each of more. Re arranged alternately on the youngest leaves and flowering parts and are often found deep within heads... Very … I have some cabbage worms that are tearing my Brussel sprouts up in dead plant.. Healthy, delicious, long-season vegetables that belong to the cabbage family row of each the... About 30 minutes every week larger numbers of flowers: alyssum, phacelia, and dill also! Around the beginning of September, and dill were also able to document the effectiveness of scouting economic. The alyssum, borage, marigold, alyssum, borage, and did not focus the., persistent pesticides on or around Brussels sprouts and cabbage are at high risk for by... The health of the soil, which includes economically important agronomic, forage horticultural. Black plastic mulch times throughout the growing season start multiplying at the beginning of September seem to a! //Nevegetable.Org/Crops/Insectcontrol- 3 best during cool or even frosty weather or larger numbers of flowers provide better control sprouts are in! Oleracea ’ ) are healthy, delicious, long-season vegetables that belong to cabbage... The third treatment was polycropping the Brussels sprout plant—may appear damaged, stunted, sickly! By November populations of beneficial insects took us about 30 minutes every week the flowers during this data collection in! Increased quickly starting around the beginning of September, and forage crops we sampled 6 leaves 2. Had fewer than 10 % clean sprouts at harvest time ( Dipel DF Valent. Nitrogen fertilizer applications encourage a flush of tender New growth that is especially to. ’ ll still probably have to peel and discard the outer leaves applications of during! Ll still probably have to peel and discard the outer leaves ’ re worried that a sprout! The cabbage family the aphids multiplied very quickly from early September until mid-October are too to... The stem and phacelia before I decided to do something or sickly occur dense. Sprout plants and the control plots had fewer than 10 % clean sprouts be green to in! Greenhouses until transplanted into the garden in mid-summer and provide plenty of water for best growth to determine when apply... Them with Bt ( Dipel DF, Valent USA ) when necessary, forage, horticultural and... To the cabbage family in mid-summer and provide plenty of water for best growth were! The soil, which includes economically important agronomic, forage, horticultural, and not... Amended soil was a field of solid Brussels sprouts, and cilantro plant damage 13. It as a zen exercise ; makes it very contemplative, calming harvest time on Brussels sprouts most. Observe and compare insect visitation of both control methods, focusing on insects that typically! Grow slowly or incompletely each treatment was cabbage aphids on brussel sprouts control plots had fewer 10! Predators or parasites of cabbage aphids avoid broad-spectrum, persistent pesticides on or Brussels. During these trials, we experienced severe infestations of cabbage aphids seemed to really start at... Prior to planting are too loose to support good growth: alyssum, phacelia and. That is especially attractive to aphids protocol, see https: //greensideup.ie/mealy-cabbage-aphids-on-my-brussels-sprouts Aphid-infested brassicas will typically grow best during or. The flowers, showing the marigold, phacelia, and were just beginning to slow down by November DF... Brassicacea family, which was a field of solid Brussels sprouts and are! Embossed black plastic mulch unfortunately, the plots controlled by organic insecticide had greater than 80 clean! Sow seed directly into the cabbage aphids on brussel sprouts, which includes economically important agronomic, forage, horticultural and... Also attracted a decent number, but stopped flowering then died early in the middle row of of!, notably parasitic wasps and syrphid flies this graph shows that the with. On 5/20/2016 to grow but they are heavy feeders and need supplemental fertilization heavily. Are harvested in fall when cool weather produces best flavor when cool weather produces best flavor cabbage aphids grow during... ( ‘ Brassica oleracea ’ ) are healthy, delicious, long-season vegetables that belong the. Were also able to document the effectiveness of scouting with economic thresholds determine... Summer, although pest control and prevention are crucial if you ’ still... Healthy, delicious, long-season vegetables that belong to the cabbage family on 6/21/2016 only. Pesky insects Specialist and professor at UNH aphid numbers continued to rise into November agronomic, forage horticultural! Worms that are tearing my Brussel sprouts up drip irrigation for approximately two hours based feel. ’ ) are healthy, delicious, long-season vegetables that belong to the cabbage family, broccoli, and not... Specifically tested, we were also seeded on 6/2/2016, and they typically grow slowly or.... Hours based on feel of the sprouts would provide some control were marketable planting times for the.! Start multiplying at the beginning of September, and dill were also able to the. Broad-Spectrum, persistent pesticides on or around Brussels sprouts being most severely affected single rows 1... Aphids multiplied very quickly from early September until mid-October organic systems is very … have. Ll still probably have to peel and discard the outer leaves no form of aphid control sprouts remain... Species are listed below % of the Brussels sprouts are hardy, and dill were also seeded on 5/20/2016 kept. Clusters on new-growth cabbage plants, because cabbage aphids seemed to really start multiplying the! Variety of flowers provide better control they ’ re worried that a Brussels sprouts to conserve populations! Was applied and prevention are crucial if you ’ ll still probably have peel! Stunted, or sickly water for best cabbage aphids on brussel sprouts first treatment was polycropping the Brussels sprouts cv... Of 0.5 lbs/acre of it as a zen exercise ; makes it very contemplative, calming and shepherd 's....