How should open leaf lettuce be checked for bugs?
• ANSWER: Lettuce, Open Leaf DESCRIPTION: Bib, Bok Choy, Boston, Butter Lettuce, Chicory, Chinese Lettuce (Napa), Green Leaf, Red Leaf, Romaine, and Watercress all grow in a similar fashion. As they sprout forth from the ground, the leaves begin to open up like a flower. Toward the end of their growth they begin to close around the stalk. INFESTATION: The insects most commonly found in open leaf lettuce are small green aphids or thrips. The leaves of the vegetable often camouflage these insects. The open structure of these vegetables allows insects to penetrate the entire head. Often, insects may be found between the innermost layers of leaves of an infested head. Therefore, each leaf must be washed and checked individually. The use of a light box for checking lettuce is extremely helpful. Occasionally, worms may be found in burrows within the body of the leaf. Look for a narrow (1/8″) translucent burrow speckled with black dots breaking up the deep green color of the leaf. These burro
