Cabbage White Butterflies.

[oldherbaceous]

I’ve noticed something very strange, and have no answer….
This year, especially in the last Month, there has been a huge amount of Cabbage White Butterflies about but, have just realised, there are no eggs, so no caterpillars!
So have they gone sterile, or maybe all Male, or all Female….i’m beat for an answer, but also very pleased.

[Westi]

Down here this year has been noticeable for a lack of all butterflies not just cabbage whites. There was a thing I watched from the butterfly count that was very positive as the very rare ones have had a great year in the New Forest, which is thanks to the rangers preparing specialist hidden sites away from the trails.

I only had one breech in my defences this year but only one butterfly got in but only focused on the nearest broccoli & I spotted the caterpillars before they did much damage. Not seen any for the past few weeks but not surprised as the poor sods would have drowned or blown to another continent! Better sunny weather is due next week so will see if any survivors, I don't expect many to be out though as not as many crops left in for them either.

[Colin2016]

They are up here in North Norfolk laying eggs.

[oldherbaceous]

Must be very lucky here then, Colin….still very strange!
There are some of the smaller green Caterpillars, but not even many of them thank goodness….

[tigerburnie]

We've had quite a few whites, but they were a bit late, but they don't bother me anymore as I have perfected the ideal way to stop them being a pest...................................I've given up growing brassicas

[oldherbaceous]

Now I never thought about doing that, Burnie….you clever Old Sausage…

[Myrkk]

Tons up here. More of the red ones ?admirals? Though. Counted 5 of them sunning on the roof at the weekend.

I’m going to try having some sacrificial brassicas in the flower beds next year to see if that keeps them away from the growing beds.

[Westi]

I tried that one year but just seemed to attract more to the plot & they soon stripped them but had the taste & worked extra hard to get under the netting....& succeeded!

[Myrkk]

I tried that one year but just seemed to attract more to the plot & they soon stripped them but had the taste & worked extra hard to get under the netting....& succeeded!

Argh. Maybe not then. I can’t bring myself to kill them as they’re so pretty once they’re adults. My Dad just squishes his. I used to pluck them off when I was a kid and selectively feed them leaves… don’t think I have the time as an adult to do that. My Papa was always happy when I was picking them off, less so when I released the adults they’d metamorphosed into.

[Westi]

Myrkk! I learnt my lesson & secure them with micro mesh or fine netting now, which you could do as individual plants. Actually you don't even need mesh, just go to your nearest charity shop & get some net curtains, they can't lay through that fabric as it is very fine. Maybe make some little teepees with sticks to raise them high enough to grow & some soil on top of the bottom edges to keep them secure, then just lift to weed & replace the soil?

[retropants]

I m currently using cheap ikea nets to cover my brassicas.

[Myrkk]

That’s a great idea Westi, I’m liking the idea of a garden full of little teepees, might have to get some little figurines and a fake bonfire in there too lol.