Pest Watch – Hordes of Caterpillars

Posted on 27. Jul, 2008 by Tracey in Pests

Its official Caterpillars have taken over my cabbage plot.

The Cabbage White butterfly lays the yellow larvae on the underside of cabbage, broccoli, brussels sprouts and any other large strong leaves in June. 14 days later in July, caterpillars emerge ready for breakfast and see some lovely green crunchy leaves on your cabbages.

This is what happens next….

Caterpillar Eaten Cabbage 27.07.08

Lots of holes in my cabbage leaves!

I’m sure I’m not the only one having these issues with cabbage white butterflies and caterpillars so this is what I have done to minimize the destruction.

Pulled out all the mature cabbages with hordes of caterpillars on them that cannot be saved,
Shake the rest of the cabbages and leaves (one by one) that are staying put and check underneath the leaves for fallen caterpillars,
Use gloves and squish the caterpillars or if you’re a bit squeamish just pick them up on a trowel and dispose of them,
Use the jet on the hose to water straight down in the centre of the cabbage to throw off any more caterpillars missed before,
Check the underside of the leaves for yellow eggs (larvae) and remove the leaves or the eggs and dispose of,
Finally put netting over the top of all your cabbages making sure that the cabbage leaves are not touching the netting (use canes to support netting) to prevent anymore butterflies from landing on your cabbages.
You’re not out of the wars yet, keep checking on the leaves of the plants for caterpillars otherwise they will continue to eat your remaining cabbages under the netting.

So if you think you have a caterpillar pest problem – check your plots for the following:-