Most mature aphids are roughly 1/8-inch long. We hypothesized that mixing flowers in with the Brussels sprouts would provide some control of cabbage aphid levels on the sprouts by attracting insect enemies of the aphid. Organic Spray Treatment: We scouted for aphids weekly and sprayed when the aphid levels met the economic thresholds described by University of California’s IPM resources. Her work has been published in Forbes, USA Today, Fodor's, Marriott Traveler, SAS Airlines, the Austin American-Statesman, Austin Monthly, and dozens of other print and online publications. Feeding injury from cabbage aphid includes wrinkled, downw… We hypothesized that mixing flowers in with the Brussels sprouts would provide some control of cabbage aphid levels on the sprouts by attracting insect enemies of the aphid. Cabbage aphids are green gray with a white, waxy coating. We collected data every other week beginning on Aug 3rd, until Nov 4th on the number of aphids and all other insects observed on the Brussels sprouts as well as on the flowers. 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. Though not specifically tested, we were also able to document the effectiveness of scouting with economic thresholds to determine when to apply pesticides. Cabbage aphids seemed to really start multiplying at the beginning of September. Out of the five species of flowers that were planted to attract insect enemies of the cabbage aphid, three were much more effective than the other two. We sampled 6 leaves (2 lower, 2 middle, 2 upper) on 6 plants per plot. Observe and compare insect visitation of both control methods, focusing on insects that are predators or parasites of cabbage aphids. Excessive or fast-release nitrogen fertilizer applications encourage a flush of tender new growth that is especially attractive to aphids. This resulted in 6 applications of Bt during the season at a rate of 0.5 lbs/acre. Brussel sprouts can power batteries. The most effective flowers were the alyssum, cilantro, and phacelia. Avoid broad-spectrum, persistent pesticides on or around Brussels sprouts to conserve the populations of beneficial insects. 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 … Photo credit: Alan Eaton, IPM Extension Specialist and professor at UNH. The above graph shows that the alyssum flowers attracted the most syrphid flies, a predator of cabbage aphids. phone: (603) 862-1520  Hours: M-F, 8 a.m.- 5 p.m. https://www.kellogggarden.com/blog/gardening/growing-brussel-sprouts These plants are easy to care for, although pest control and prevention are crucial if you want your Brussels sprouts to remain healthy. Aphid-infested brassicas will typically grow slowly or incompletely. Our research raises several questions for future research: Many of our brussels sprouts were donated to the Cornucopia Food Pantry in Durham, NH. Layout of the Brussels field on August 5th, showing the 12 total rows. Use a slow-release fertilizer, if possible. Flowers on August 5th, showing the marigold, alyssum, phacelia, and borage. Adult aphids may or may not be winged. https://greensideup.ie/mealy-cabbage-aphids-on-my-brussels-sprouts Each plot was 13 plants long and 3 rows wide. 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). The aphids multiplied very quickly from early September until mid-October. Growers across the globe and in Northeastern United States have reported economically damaging populations of cabbage aphid (Brevicoryne brassicae) in Brussels sprouts (Brassicacea). The pest affects the Brassicacea family, which includes economically important agronomic, forage, horticultural, and forage crops. Below is a table of our history of pesticide applications to control cabbage aphid: Amount Sprayed (Dilution): 2.5 oz (2 oz/gal), Amount Sprayed (Dilution): 7.5 oz (2.5 oz/gal), Amount Sprayed (Dilution): 8 oz (2 oz/gal), Amount Sprayed (Dilution): 10 oz (2.5 oz/gal), Amount Sprayed (Dilution): 10 oz (2 oz/gal). Sprouts are harvested in fall when cool weather produces best flavor. Aphids are small, gray-green, soft-bodied insects that are typically found in clusters on new-growth cabbage plants, like Brussels sprouts. Diablo) slightly greater than ¼ acre. A single harvest of the entire plant means that Called honeydew, this sap dries into clear, shiny spots; the spots often turn black due to the fungus (called sooty mold) that grows on them. Late-maturing Brussels sprouts and cabbage are at high risk for damage by cabbage aphids. These insecticides were applied when thresholds were met through the scouting protocol put forth by the University of California's Statewide Integrated Pest Management Program, found at http://ipm.ucanr.edu/PMG/r108300811.html. All aphids are soft-bodied and pear-shaped with a pair of cornicles, or little horns, projecting from the rear end of their abdomens. The alyssum, borage, and dill were also seeded on 5/20/2016. Brussels sprouts are a cultivar of the cabbage family, which are grown for their small, edible leafy green buds (which resemble tiny cabbages). Beds were laid with 6 feet between bed centers. I have some cabbage worms that are tearing my Brussel Sprouts up. Although growth rates slowed in mid-October, aphid numbers continued to rise into November. Generally speaking (and especially if aphids are not evident), you don’t have to wash Brussels sprouts because you are already “cleaning” them by trimming off the bottom and then peeling away a few outer leaves. For scouting protocol, see https://nevegetable.org/crops/insectcontrol- 3. How to cure a cabbage aphid infestation. Each treatment was repeated four times throughout the field, which was a … Preventing Problems: Pull up and compost old plants, because cabbage aphids can overwinter in dead plant tissue. We scouted for caterpillars and controlled them with Bt (Dipel DF, Valent USA) when necessary. Scouting only took us about 30 minutes every week. However, the flowers did attract more insect enemies of aphids, notably parasitic wasps and syrphid flies. We also hypothesized that scouting and spraying the sprouts would provide some control. Brussels sprouts grown in the UK are threatened by 46 different pests, including caterpillars, aphids, and various diseases. However, soils that have been worked prior to planting are too loose to support good growth. HORT COCO-UC MASTER GARDENER PROGRAM OF CONTRA COSTA Official Blog of the UC Master Gardener Program of Contra Costa County: Bugs on the Brussel Sprouts, University of Illinois Extension: Brussels Sprouts, University of California Statewide Integrated Pest Management Program: Brussels Sprouts, How to Care for a Curry Plant With Brown Tips on the Leaves, Black Caterpillars With Yellow Stripes That Eat Broccoli Leaves. Cabbage aphids are pests only of brassicas, with cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli, and Brussels sprouts being most severely affected. Create a timeline of cabbage aphid levels throughout the growing season. … Late-maturing Brussels sprout plant leaves are at a high risk of damage by these pesky insects. Hence, organic sprouts are hard to find. Sow seed directly into the garden in mid-summer and provide plenty of water for best growth. Clip off and compost stems holding aphid clusters. Is a rotation of insecticides necessary for control? The plots controlled by a rotation of organic insecticides showed very good control of aphids, while the plots with beneficial flowers or no pest control were very infested by aphids by harvest time in November. Both the flower plots and the control plots had fewer than 10% clean sprouts. The third treatment was polycropping the Brussels sprouts with a variety of flowers: alyssum, borage, marigold, phacelia, and cilantro. University, University of New Hampshire Cooperative Extension We irrigated via drip irrigation for approximately two hours based on feel of the soil, which typically resulted in irrigation 2X per week. From 2013 to 2015, we performed experiments comparing different varieties of Brussels sprouts as well as different topping practices. They prefer to feed on the youngest leaves and flowering parts and are often found deep within the heads of cabbages or Brussels sprouts. The phacelia and cilantro were seeded on 6/2/2016, and all flowers were transplanted on 6/27/2016. If you’re worried that a Brussels sprouts bug is eating leaves, there are a few key signs to look for. Cabbage aphid numbers increased quickly starting around the beginning of September, and were just beginning to slow down by November. 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. Luckily, low aphid populations do not typically result in plant damage. The crops attacked include cabbage, brussels sprouts, kale, cauliflower, as well as wild mustard and shepherd's purse. Rather than using a harmful insecticide to kill off aphids, there are several natural ways you can both manage an aphid infestation and prevent it from happening in the first place. During these trials, we experienced severe infestations of cabbage aphids. The second treatment was a rotation of two organic insecticides, insecticidal soap M-pede (Gowan Company, Yuma AZ) and Azera (Valent, Walnut Creek CA). 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. OF CABBAGE APHID ON BRUSSELS SPROUTS BY ALINA SOPHIA HARRIS Sustainable Agriculture and Food Production Systems, University of New Hampshire, 2012 THESIS Submitted to the University of New Hampshire in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of This graph shows that the plots controlled by organic insecticide had greater than 80% clean sprouts at harvest time. The Brussels sprouts (cv. The sprouts form at the base of each leaf in a long stem. Think of it as a zen exercise; makes it very contemplative, calming. © Copyright 2020 Hearst Communications, Inc. Most mature aphids are … However, the difference was not statistically significant. Brussels sprout plant leaves can be green to purple in color, and they’re arranged alternately on the stem. Unfortunately, the plots with flowers actually attracted slightly more very infested sprouts than plots without the flowers. Extended production is pos-sible as plants will tolerate temperatures down to 20 ... Brussels sprouts can be sold in pint or quart baskets or bags. cabbage aphids. Brussels sprouts (‘Brassica oleracea’) are healthy, delicious, long-season vegetables that belong to the cabbage family. The above graph shows that the flower plots consistently had more parasitized aphids, or “mummies”, which are caused by the parasitic wasp Diaratiella rapae. Would different combinations or larger numbers of flowers provide better control? Although our research did not focus on the aphids, they were quite a nuisance and rendered most sprouts unmarketable. On Nov 11th we sampled 6 plants per plot and, for each plant, recorded the percentage of sprouts that were infested by aphids, had a few aphids that could be wiped off, or were free of aphids. https://www.growveg.com/guides/cabbage-aphid-controls-for-organic-gardeners Aphids, in particular, reproduce quickly, so you should learn how to keep your plants safe from these bothersome bugs. 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. They got a good foothold, before I decided to do something. Flowers did not reduce the amount of infestation of Brussels sprouts, and did not seem to be a good method of aphid control. The alyssum attracted the most syrphid flies. The above photo shows extremely infested sprouts. We also rated the health of the Brussels sprout plants and the flowers during this data collection. Sustainable Horticulture State Specialist, Copyright © 2021 University of New Hampshire, TTY Users: 7-1-1 or 800-735-2964 (Relay NH), experiments comparing different varieties of Brussels sprouts as well as different topping practices, https://nevegetable.org/crops/insectcontrol-, Applied Vegetable & Fruit Research in New Hampshire, 2019-20 New England Small Fruit Management Guide, 2018-19 New England Vegetable Management Guide, Compare the percent marketable sprouts using these two control methods. If the cilantro and phacelia had been planted multiple times in sequence plantings, they may have kept flowering and attracted more insect enemies. Insecticidal soap sprays, however, may be phytotoxic under some conditions and rates, especially in Brussels sprouts and cabbage. However, cabbage aphid management in certified organic systems is very … University of Connecticut recommends a threshold of 10% infested plants in cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower and Brussels sprouts after heads or sprouts begin to form. Would different planting times for the flowers provide better control? Each treatment was repeated four times throughout the field, which was a field of solid Brussels sprouts (cv. Aphids are small, soft bodied insects that feed by stabbing their hollow, sharply pointed mouthparts through the epidermis of the plant and then sucking the juices out of the cells. 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. Some of the more common species are listed below. Aphids are small, gray-green, soft-bodied insects that are typically found in clusters on new-growth cabbage plants, like Brussels sprouts. These flowers were planted in random formation in the middle row of each of the four flower treatments. Always follow manufacturer instructions when working with an oil or soap and apply the material on a mild, cloudy day to plants that are not under water stress, if possible. In 2016, we evaluated three different strategies to manage cabbage aphid in Brussels sprouts: 1) nothing, 2) organic insecticides, and 3) interplanting with a mix of flowers. Fall harvest in Kentucky is the most practical and rewarding. Taylor Hall, 59 College Road, Durham, NH Directions. You’ll still probably have to peel and discard the outer leaves. The Brussels sprouts were planted 18 in apart in single rows into 1 mm embossed black plastic mulch. Many varieties can t… Also, ants tend to be attracted to the honeydew left by aphids, so an ant infestation may be symptomatic of an aphid problem. They commonly occur in dense colonies , often covered with waxy droplets. Sprouts are hardy, and they typically grow best during cool or even frosty weather. We also hypothesized that scouting and spraying the sprouts would provide some control. https://homeguides.sfgate.com/brussels-sprouts-pests-diseases-40830.html Rotating organic insecticides Azera and M-pede controlled cabbage aphids on Brussels sprouts very well. Applying insecticidal soap to Brussels sprouts on a hot, sunny day can potentially injure the plants. Brussels sprouts are not difficult to grow but they are heavy feeders and need supplemental fertilization or heavily amended soil. The treatments were laid out as follows: The first treatment was the control, where no form of aphid control was applied. In 2016, we evaluated three different strategies to manage cabbage aphid in Brussels sprouts: 1) nothing, 2) organic insecticides, and 3) interplanting with a mix of flowers. There is a range of chemistries available among insecticides labeled for this pest: including pyrethroids and organophosphates, neonicotinoids, pymetorzine, and insecticidal soap. www.gardenanswers.com/plant-pests/aphids-on-brussels-sprouts Which insecticides are most effective at controlling cabbage aphid. Their edible heads—like the sprouts on a brussels sprout plant—may appear damaged, stunted, or sickly. This condition produces loose sprouts. The cilantro and phacelia also attracted a decent number, but stopped flowering then died early in the season. Would different arrangements of the flowers in relation to the Brussels sprouts (within, or even outside the plots) provide higher rates of parasitism of aphids? 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. 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. 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. Diablo), were seeded on 5/20/2016 and kept in the UNH MacFarlane greenhouses until transplanted into the field on 6/21/2016. Aphids are usually present in spring and summer, although populations can increase by late summer and last well into fall. The field was fertilized prior to planting based on soil test recommendations, with 120 lbs/acre of N and 150 lbs/acre of K2O using a combination of 27-0- 0 and 0-0-22. 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. Scouting once a week and spraying when threshold levels were reached based on University of California’s chart (http://ipm.ucanr.edu/PMG/r108300811.html) appears to be key to controlling aphids. 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