Kale sometimes has pest problems. Below are the insect pests that you may encounter.

Major Pests Pests that may cause severe damage to the crop. (click on pest name or picture for more information)
Pest Name		Active months		Photo
Aphid		June - September		Purdue University
Damage Description: Adult and nymph suck plant sap and can transmit disease. Generations per year: Multiple Infestation source: Overwinters locally outside garden.
Diamondback Moth		mid April - September		T. Quick, J. Wyman, R. Foster
Damage Description: Larva chews holes in leaves, bores into the heads, and increases plant susceptibility to diseases such as black rot. Generations per year: 4 to 6 Infestation source: In upper Midwest, adults can overwinter locally outside the garden in protected areas. Some migrate from the south.
Flea Beetle		mid April - late June		C. Eastman
Damage Description: Adult chews small "shothole" wounds in leaves. Heavily damaged leaves may completely dry out and die. Generations per year: 2 to 3 Infestation source: Overwinters locally out of the garden.
Imported Cabbageworm		mid April - September		W. Cranshaw, W. Cranshaw, R. Foster
Damage Description: Caterpillar chews holes in leaves. Generations per year: 3 to 6 Infestation source: Overwinters in garden crop debris.
Minor Pests Pests that will cause only minor damage to the crop. Gardeners usually do not need to worry about these pests. (click on pest name or picture for more information)
Pest Name		Active Months		Photo
Cabbage Looper		mid June - late September		Purdue University
Damage Description: Caterpillar chews holes in leaves. Generations per year: 2 to 3 Infestation source: Migrates from the south.
Corn Earworm or Tomato Fruitworm		mid June - mid September		G. Brust- Purdue University
Damage Description: The second generation is usually larger and more of a problem. Larva chews on developing ear. Generations per year: 2 Infestation source: Because the corn earworm cannot overwinter north of I-70, it migrates from the south each year.
Cutworm		April - late June, September		J. Obermeyer- Purdue University
Damage Description: Larva cuts off stem of plant at the base. Generations per year: 1 to 4 depending on species Infestation source: Overwinters in garden soil, on crop debris or weeds.
Fall Armyworm		August - mid September		B. Flood
Damage Description: Larva chews on the leaves and corn ears. Generations per year: 1 Infestation source: Migrates from the south.
Leafminer		mid April - late May, September		Ohio State University
Damage Description: Larva tunnels between upper and lower leaf surfaces. Generations per year: 3 Infestation source: Overwinters in garden soil.
sugarbeet root maggot		mid May - late August
Damage Description: Larva chews on roots. Generations per year: 1 Infestation source: Overwinters in garden soil.