Butterflies, especially the colourfully marked types are very
pretty to watch as the undulate through the summer breezes but there are certain
varieties that can cause losses in your vegetable garden.
The cabbage
white butterfly
The main culprit is the
cabbage white butterfly which is mostly attracted to a chemical emitted from the
leaves of brassicas,
moncler
outlet. The brassica group covers such vegetables as cabbage, brussel
sprouts, broccoli and cauliflower,
moncler. The butterfly lands on these
plants and in itself is harmless but the eggs it deposits are the problem,
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eventually emerges from these eggs. Emerging quite soon after are the dreaded
caterpillars which are hairy and about 3 to 4 cm
long.
Caterpillars
Caterpillars are the larvae or the young of the
butterfly,
bags outlet; this is the
main feeding and growth stage of the butterflies’ life cycle. As most vegetable
growers know caterpillars are very hungry and a small handful can turn a head of
cabbage into a skeleton within a day or two. Infested leaves are quite toxic to
animals and humans even if washed thoroughly.
Control methods
So
how can you battle against the caterpillars,
www.lovemoncleroutlet.com, well
there are various chemical and organic methods. The chemical methods are
available in all good garden centres in the form of sprays, dusts and bug guns
with names too numerous to mention. With cabbage, broccoli etc being food crops
that you may grow at home organically to avoid chemicals you should try to
tackle the menace organically. Cover your plants with sheer netting whilst the
butterflies are around, if they cannot touch the plants then they cannot lay
their eggs on them. Ensure the netting allows sufficient sunlight through to
enable growth.
Companion plants
Try planting tomatoes and celery
as companion plants close by as their scents tend to cancel out the scent
emitted by brassicas therefore deterring cabbage white butterflies. Finally if
all else fails try sending your cat or cats on holiday during the summer, you’ll
be surprised how many songbirds start to visit your garden. Songbirds just love
caterpillars.
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