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  • #1

    Caterpillars & eggs

    Ok, so the butterflies got to my broccoli before I covered in Environmesh, and yesterday it was covered in orrible caterpillars, it had flowered anyway so pulled the plants out and left for birds to eat.

    But was thinking of planting more brassica plants in that bed, as it's nice and deep, is this a bad idea? Are there likely to be 'eggs' , on the ground or around that could hatch etc and affect any new plants?

    Thanks


    When do these butterflies 'go away' for winter?
    DottyR
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  • #2
    Yes they do overwinter as pupae, mainly the small white. The large white is more temperature sensitive and they don't normally survive our winters. Apparently the large white flies large distances to get to the UK, from the warmer, southern parts of Europe. Why they fly all that way just to eat our brassicas is a mystery to me!

    They tend to overwinter on bits of wood, fences, anywhere that provides a bit of protection and is above ground. They don't tend to be in / on the ground and they do go some distance away from the original feeding crop.

    They tend to start overwintering in early September but a lot depends on the weather.

    Cabbage Moths, which also damage brassicas, have a similar life cycle as the small whites but these do choose crevices in the ground to overwinter rather than above ground.
    Last edited by TrialAndError; 09-08-2015, 08:09 AM.

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    • #3
      So is it possible to 'treat' the ground with anything? Or best to just leave it over the winter? It's a raised bed.

      Thanks
      DottyR

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      • #4
        Dotty, could you do a bit of soil digging over, just the top few inches and them encourage the birds to fertle out any eggs that may have been left behing?

        Not a sure fire method I know but...
        I have not failed. I've just found 10,000 ways that won't work. Thomas A. Edison

        Outreach co-ordinator for the Gnome, Pixie and Fairy groups within the Nutters Club.

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        • #5
          I don't think eggs are a particular issue as the butterflies lay eggs on the leaves, so providing you have removed all leaf debris there shouldn't be any eggs. There is a possibility that you have knocked caterpillars off the plants onto the soil, and these will be on the lookout for food. I would leave the bed a week or 2 before planting more brassicas to give the little beggars time to wander off elsewhere.
          A life is like a garden. Perfect moments can be had, but not preserved, except in memory. LLAP. - Leonard Nimoy

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          • #6
            Originally posted by TrialAndError View Post
            Yes they do overwinter as pupae, mainly the small white. The large white is more temperature sensitive and they don't normally survive our winters. Apparently the large white flies large distances to get to the UK, from the warmer, southern parts of Europe. Why they fly all that way just to eat our brassicas is a mystery to me!
            Maybe the Large White Butterfly comes over because it enjoys british brassicas?

            Anyways the Brassica's that you plant should be alright as longs as you leave the ground for a few days and also when you plant the new ones cover them quickly.
            Last edited by MarkHackwell; 09-08-2015, 01:29 PM.
            Visit my blog at: marksallotment20162017.wordpress.com

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            • #7
              Thanks for the advice, I'm certain I'll have knocked a few off, there were loads!

              I'll take your advice, dig it over a bit, wait a few days before putting anything else in there,and cover more efficiently next time.
              DottyR

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