Pest profile

Cabbage Aphid

Brevicoryne brassicae · Hemiptera: Aphididae[2]

Dense gray, powdery colonies on cabbage or broccoli are cabbage aphids, a serious pest of the mustard family, especially in cool, dry weather.[1]

Dense colony of gray, waxy cabbage aphids on a leaf
Dense colony of gray, waxy cabbage aphids on a leaf. (c) Jesse Rorabaugh, some rights reserved (CC BY) — via iNaturalist, CC BY 4.0

How to identify it

  • They carry a waxy coating and have relatively short cornicles, which separate them from other aphids on the same plants.[1]
  • Heavily infested plants are covered with masses of small sticky aphids.[1]

Look-alikes

Look-alikeHow to tell them apart
Other aphidsShort cornicles and a waxy coat distinguish cabbage aphids from most aphids on brassicas.[1]

Where it lives

Native to Europe, it's now worldwide and widely distributed across the U.S., where it's more of a pest in the southern states.[1]

US map: public records from 26 states since 1990 (GBIF).

Biology and life cycle

Aphids are serious pests in cool and dry conditions.[1]

Damage and signs

  • Feeding causes yellowing, wilting and stunting; honeydew draws ants that protect aphids from enemies.[1]

Health risk

It feeds on plants; UF/IFAS mentions no risk to people.[1]

Control

Prevention

Ants protect aphids from natural enemies, so ant control helps.[1]

Biological control

Cultural and biological control can reduce infestations and pesticide use.[1]

Common questions

What are the gray waxy bugs on my broccoli?
Cabbage aphids, which form dense waxy colonies.[1]
When are they worst?
In cool, dry conditions.[1]

Sources

  1. University of Florida IFAS Extension (Featured Creatures), “Cabbage Aphid, Brevicoryne brassicae (EENY-577).” edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/IN1014 (accessed 2026-10-06)
  2. iNaturalist, “Brevicoryne brassicae taxon page (order and family).” www.inaturalist.org/taxa/326910 (accessed 2026-10-06)

Updated 2026-10-14. Built from sourced records. Spot an error? Tell us.