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They are either Cabbage Loopers or Cabbage Worms. Both are similar and can be treated in the same way. I first handpick them. They match the green color of the leaves, but you get so you can find them quickly after a while. They are often on the underside of the newer leaves.
bT (bacillus Thuringiensis) variety kurstaki (BTK) works very well on caterpillers and is harmless to beneficial insects, birds, humans etc. It interrupts their digestive cycle and they quickly starve. It comes in powder form in a plastic squeeze container at many home/garden stores. Look for a picture of green caterpillars on the container.
If you see a small white or a small brown speckled moth flutterring around, that's the culprit. It can even be useful to swat the moths with a badminton racket (good exercise, too). Just a few of those moths can lay a lot of eggs.
Floating row covers will prevent the moths from laying the eggs on your plants, BTW.
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Yardeman is 100% correct. The b.t. is also avaliable in liquid form, Thuricide (avaliable at Home Depot etc.), that you mix with water and spray on in the morning. I spray seaweed solution and add the Thuricide to that. B.t. breaks down in 3-5 days, so you need to use it on a regular basis when bugs are present. The power form is sold as Dipel(avaliable at Ace hardware etc.) Both products work on all kinds of caterpillars. I usually stock both the powder and the liquid. This stuff is soooooooo good; one of the few garden products I ALWAYS have on hand. Happy gardening, and enjoy the bug free kale!
Zone 9 Melbourne, Fl. Gardening is a class in continuing education. Enjoy!
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| Posts: 145 | Location: Melbourne, Fl. | Registered: May 22, 2003 |    |
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