Definition

1. Noun:
   • A pest insect larva: The cabbageworm is the larval (caterpillar) stage of certain white butterflies, notably the cabbage white butterfly (Pieris rapae). It is a common agricultural pest that feeds on the leaves of plants in the cabbage family (Brassicaceae), such as cabbage, broccoli, kale, and cauliflower.
   • Physical description: It is typically a velvety green caterpillar, which provides camouflage among the leaves it consumes.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The gardener found a cabbageworm on the underside of a kale leaf.
  • A severe infestation of cabbageworm can skeletonize an entire crop of cabbage.
  • Organic farmers often use Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) to control cabbageworm populations.

Advanced Usage

• The term is often used in agricultural, gardening, and entomological contexts to specifically identify this damaging pest, distinguishing it from other caterpillars that may feed on similar plants.
• In integrated pest management (IPM), monitoring for eggs and larvae is a critical early-season task.

Variants and Related Words

• Imported cabbageworm: Another common name for the larva of the butterfly, emphasizing its non-native status in many regions like North America.
• Cabbage looper (): A different, though similarly damaging, green caterpillar that moves in a looping motion. It is a related pest but not the same species as the .
• Diamondback moth larva (): Another small, green larval pest of brassica crops, distinct from the .

Synonyms

• Cabbage caterpillar
• Green caterpillar (context-specific, less precise)

Related Phrases

• Cabbageworm damage: Refers to the characteristic irregular holes and feeding damage left on plant leaves by this larva.
• Cabbageworm control: Encompasses the methods used to manage or eliminate this pest from crops.

Noun

1. toxic green larva of a cabbage butterfly