Intelligence in cabbage whites

[Jimmy]

I usually get caterpillers all over by sprouts.
So this year I had some fine mesh I was given.
It was a bit "used" but I rigged it up using cans to form a big rectangular shed over the plants.
There were some holes but the bigger ones I closed with string.
Not many caterpillers early this year but went out last week and it was sunny.
They had got inside.
I saw a few smaller holes and closed them up.
The ones inside seem to know where the came in and went back to the holes even though I had closed them.
Also the ones outside which I assume had been in before seemed to hover around where the holes were !
It was very strange to watch.
Are they know for this ????
Jimmy

[ginger ninger]

The ones i've come across are as thick as pudding, they fly through an open green house door.. then can't get out..stupid things

[Alice]

I've not seen any intelligence in them.
If I leave my conservatory doors or windows open they fly in there.
But with doors wide open and 24 open windows they can't find their way out.
Brainless !
But I do have to try and rescue them - not easy.

[Rocketron]

I've not seen any intelligence in them.
If I leave my conservatory doors or windows open they fly in there.
But with doors wide open and 24 open windows they can't find their way out.
Brainless !
But I do have to try and rescue them - not easy.

Cabbage White's....rescue ?
Kill the B'Stards.

[Alice]

Sorry Rocketron, but I can't kill anything I don't have to.
But I do agree some things have to be killed.
Cabbage whites just haven't made their way onto that list.

[ginger ninger]

Vine Weevil's..now they have to be squashed, stamped on, drowned, splattered, crushed, decapitated and run over by a steam roller ....i hate vine weevil's...... And now i'm going to see if i can find that nice happy place again!!

[Wareagle]

The ones up here seem to be getting smart, they were laying theyre eggs in an easily squishable clump, but now spread them out singly all over the plants making it harder to get them all.

[rustylady]

Vine Weevil's..now they have to be squashed, stamped on, drowned, splattered, crushed, decapitated and run over by a steam roller ....i hate vine weevil's...... And now i'm going to see if i can find that nice happy place again!!

I'm with you on Vine Weevils ginger, and wasps - apart from them and slugs and cabbage white caterpillars I try not to kill anything.

[cupcake]

The ones up here seem to be getting smart, they were laying theyre eggs in an easily squishable clump, but now spread them out singly all over the plants making it harder to get them all.

I've noticed that too!And there seem to be millions of the little beggars this year!

[BFG]

I think most insects are smarter than we give them credit for. Some Butterflies and moths migrate from Africia and back, so can't be that dumb.

Do a test maybe? Make a butterfly assault/memory course. Like for the squirrels on the advert.

[HayleyB]

Our CWs have GCSEs somehow they got into my environmesh into the cabbages anyway the cabbages and PSB are far to massive for the enviromesh so I'm now breeding caterpillars to harvest for the chooks on a daily basis - evil smilie

[Rocketron]

The ones up here seem to be getting smart, they were laying theyre eggs in an easily squishable clump, but now spread them out singly all over the plants making it harder to get them all.

That is because the small whites and the large whites lay their eggs differently.
I'm blessed if I can remember which lays singly and which lays clumps, though.

[Maximillian]

There do seem to be more than ever this year. Is it something to do with less bees? I've seen them fold their wings flat and drop through paramilitary styllee through nets!

[solway cropper]

We have a lot more up here this year. I was driving back from town last week and suddenly a whole hedge came alive with them. There must have been thousands. I should have thought the cold winter would kill them off but no. As for intelligence, forget it. They are biologically driven to lay eggs on brassicas and will do whatever it takes to succeed. At least when they get through the holes in the net they become easier to catch.

[gojiberry]

Small whites lay their eggs singly and are a green caterpillar, large white lay groups of eggs and are a sort of black and yellowy green. Both like munching cabbages. There are hundreds floating around the lottie.

Ian