Small holes in Cabbages

[Lonnie]

Something has been making round holes in my Cabbages, its not Slugs or birds, and I was wondering if it could be Leaf Cutter Bees, I really don't know if they are the culprits or not, would they take from Cabbages?, any ideas would be appreciated. Thanks.

[spudqueen]

I don't think leaf cutters make round holes, they are usually irregular shapes. Could it not be the caterpillers of cabbage white butterflies?

[Thunderbird+]

I agree with spudqueen, the holes are most likely damage caused by the large cabbage white caterpillers, which have yellow and black markings. If you dont have many cabbages in your plot, removing them by hand can be an effective means of control. If no physical appearance of caterpillers can be seen, it could be wood pigions having a peck at them, in which case you need to find a means of scaring them off otherwise they can reduce your plants down to the ribs. All the Best.

[Lonnie]

I thought about caterpillers, and checked, there's no sign, and it can't be Wood Pigeons, although there is a lot round here, as I have protective netting over them, these holes are round, and approx 1/4'' in diameter.

I'll just have to keep a close watch on them, Thanks very much for your answers though.

[jake-the-peg]

Flea beetle perhaps?

http://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profiles0402/flea_beetle.asp

[Lonnie]

Thanks Jake, the beginning certainly sounds like them, but there's no sign at all, I have some young follow ons near the affected adult Cabbages, and they have not been touched, but thanks for looking.

[WendyS]

Hi Lonnie - I've got them too on my purple brocolli plants and I'm darned if I can discover what's causing them. No sign of butterflies or caterpillars and nothing lurking under the leaves either. ( I'm beginning to think it must be this darned cheeky rat I recently posted about lurking around our bird table who's determined to get his five portions of fruit and veg every day.) What annoys me is that they always seem to appear overnight.

[Lonnie]

Hi Wendy, puzzling, isn't it, I don't now think its the Leafcutters, as I have a box for them and its not being used, thing is, i've got one leaf on a cabbage that has four of these holes in it, a perfect square, and each hole is abut 3'' apart, weird.

I like the idea of your Rat though, is it still there, maybe you should think of a name for it.