What Insects Attack Turnips

Turnips are vulnerable to several pests, including cabbage aphids and root maggots, that plague other crucifers. In addition, other insects are more annoyances than serious pests. Examples include whiteflies and caterpillars that feed on the turnip foliage.

What is eating my turnips?

The maggots of cabbage root fly eat the roots of cabbages and other brassicas, they can also tunnel into the roots of swedes, turnips and radish. … Edible roots are also tunnelled by the maggots which are the larvae of the fly. Adult cabbage root flies resemble house flies.

How do you protect turnips from worms?

Start small stands of turnips under portable frames covered in plastic or thin cloth to exclude adult D. radicum from seedling rows. Remove the covers once the turnip bulbs begin to swell. Monitor bulb growth by lifting foliage and examining the turnip top protruding from the soil.