What Can I Do to Get the Bugs Off My Turnip Plants in My Garden?
Turnips are a cool-season crop cultivated since ancient times. Although this root vegetable is relatively easy to grow, it does have potential pests. Keep your turnips healthy and growing to maturity by learning about the pests that afflict turnips and how to stop them. Does this Spark an idea?
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Aphids
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Aphids, or plant lice, are pale-green or yellow insects about the size of a pinhead that are usually found in dense clusters on the leaves. The aphids suck the sap out of the leaves. Severe infestations kill the plant. Check the leaves regularly for aphids and treat the plants as soon as you see as signs of an infestation. Aphids can be washed off the leaves with soapy water or an insecticidal soap. For more severe infestations, a harsher insecticidal spray may be necessary. Encouraging a healthy population of beneficial insects like ladybugs also keeps the aphid population under control.
Cabbage Looper
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Although the cabbage looper is more commonly found on cabbage plants, it can attacks turnips as well. This destructive pest is the larval stage of a medium-sized moth. The moth lays her eggs on the underside of the leaves. The eggs hatch and the young caterpillars begin eating the plant's leaves. The pale green caterpillar grows to about 1-½ inch long and crawls along the leaves with a motion similar to an inchworm. Handpick these caterpillars from the leaves as soon as you see them. Weekly applications of Bacillus thuringiensis may be necessary for severe infestations.
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Armyworms
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Armyworms are another larval stage of a moth. These caterpillars are dark brown or black with two yellow stripes extending from head to tail. They grow to about 1-1/2 inches long, eating the leaves as they grow. Pick armyworms off the leaves as soon as you see them. For severe infestations, spray or dust weekly with Bacillus thuringiensis.
Flea Beetles
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Although flea beetles are not related to fleas, they resemble fleas in appearance and ability to jump. Leaves riddled with tiny holes are evidence that flea beetles may have taken up residence. Flea beetles generally prefer to attack young plants and may kill the plant. A sprinkling of diatomaceous earth discourages flea beetles. Sprays containing insecticidal soap or neem oil are also effective.
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References
- AgriLife Extension Texas A&M System; Turnips; Joe Masabnim Ph.D., et al.
- Clemson Cooperative Extension; Cabbage, Broccoli & Other Cole Crop Insect Pests; Randall P. Griffin, et al.; October 2009
- NC State University Extension; Wayne County Center: Watch Out for Armyworms; Eileen A. Coite; Aug. 15 2008
- University of Florida IFAS Extension; Yellow-Striped Armyworms; J. L. Capinera; November 2005
- Oregon State University: Growing Your Own
