Grower, Richard Russell (Head & co), has observed cabbage white butterflies (Pieris rapae) in several canola crops northeast of Shepparton, in the Northern Country district of Victoria. Cabbage white butterfly caterpillars are up to 30 mm in length and velvety green in colour with a faint yellow stripe running along the back and each side of the body. Adult butterflies have creamy white wings with one or two black spots, and a wingspan of approximately 40 mm. Their life cycle is largely dependant on environmental temperatures. Cabbage white butterflies are predominantly found in spring. They attack canola and other brassica crops by chewing large irregular holes in the leaves.
Chemical control at this time of year is unlikely to be warranted. Even when in large numbers, cabbage white butterflies will generally not affect crop yield. If spraying is needed, cabbage white butterflies can be easily controlled with a range of insecticides, including those used to control diamond back moth.