Bug FAQCabbage Aphid
Brevicoryne brassicae · Order: Hemiptera · Family: Aphididae
Also called: Mealy cabbage aphid
Source: Wikipedia
They are gray-green insects with a waxy coating that makes them look gray-white or powdery blue. They feed only on members of the Brassicaceae family and can cause serious damage to garden and farm crops.
Source: Wikipedia
How to recognize it
Their waxy covering gives them a gray-white to powdery blue appearance.
Source: Wikipedia
Size
Adults are small, gray-green insects with a waxy coating.
Source: Wikipedia
Is it a pest in the house?
The aphid stays on Brassicaceae plants and will not feed on nearby strawberries or other non-Brassicaceae crops.
Source: Wikipedia
How to get rid of it
Some cultivars of Brassica have natural resistance to cabbage aphids. Insecticidal soaps can be effective against infestations.
Source: Wikipedia
Where it lives
The cabbage aphid originates from Europe but is now found worldwide.
Source: Wikipedia
What it eats
It feeds on cabbage, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower and other Brassica crops, avoiding plants outside the Brassicaceae family.
Source: Wikipedia
Where it comes from
It is native to Europe and has spread to many other regions.
Source: Wikipedia
Where it is found in the US
Recorded in 38 of 51 states and DC. Most records: California, Washington, Oregon, New York, Hawaii, Massachusetts, Idaho, North Carolina.
Darker = more records. Counts are museum and citizen-science records, not population size.
Source: GBIF
Months it is reported in the US
Source: GBIF
More photos
Questions people ask
What plants do cabbage aphids eat?
They feed on cabbage, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower and other members of the Brassicaceae family.
Source: Wikipedia
How can I control cabbage aphids?
Use resistant cultivars and apply insecticidal soap to treat the infestation.
Source: Wikipedia
Same family (Aphididae)
Melon AphidAphis gossypiiDamages trees, gardens or crops
Oleander AphidAphis neriiDamages trees, gardens or crops
Witch-hazel Cone Gall AphidHormaphis hamamelidis
Beech Blight AphidGrylloprociphilus imbricatorDamages trees, gardens or crops
Rice Root AphidTetraneura akinire
Manzanita Leafgall AphidTamalia coweniSources
- Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brevicoryne_brassicae
Look it up elsewhere: GBIF · iNaturalist · BugGuide · ITIS · Wikipedia
Text written 2026-10-23 from the sources above and checked sentence by sentence against them. Data fetched 2026-10-22.