What specific effect do high populations of Large White and Cabbage White larvae have on their preferred Brassica crops?

Answer

Defoliation leading to substantial crop losses by chewing ragged holes in leaves

The heavy larval feeding habits of both the Large White and Cabbage White make them serious agricultural pests, particularly because their target hosts are valuable food crops like cabbage and broccoli. The damage inflicted is direct and destructive, caused entirely by the chewing activity of the caterpillars. When these larvae are present in high numbers, especially in commercial fields dedicated to monocultures of Brassica vegetables, their feeding results in severe defoliation. This means they chew large, often ragged holes into the leaves of their preferred food sources, which subsequently translates directly into substantial losses in the overall crop yield.

What specific effect do high populations of Large White and Cabbage White larvae have on their preferred Brassica crops?

Related Questions

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