Caterpillars on Brassicas and Cabbages.

amandstu · 31-08-2021 07:20PM #1

Where do they come from?They show up so quickly even though I pick /squash them off each day.

Do they take rambles between the plants and turn up at particular times of the day or do they (as I had always assumed) live their lives in the one plant they hatched from?

looksee · 31-08-2021 08:28PM

They have turned my purple sprouting broccoli into lace curtains. Admittedly I put them in then totally ignored them as I had too much other stuff to do. It was shortly after planting them that I decided no more veg this year. Anyway I shall continue to ignore them and if they choose to rally and produce some flowers I shall be grateful - and surprised.

Jim_Hodge · 31-08-2021 09:27PM

The eggs are laid on the underside of the food plant and in 4 to 7 days the 🐛 caterpillars emerge to feed on the leaves. Most likely Cabbage Whites. They have two large broods a year.

looksee · 31-08-2021 10:02PM

The ones on my broccoli - and nasturtiums and numerous other places are Kilkenny cats - black and orange caterpillars of the Cinnabar moth, which apparently are in significant decline...they are rare everywhere else because they are all in my garden! Granted its usually Cabbage Whites though 🙂