Caterpillars!

With all the wet weather we have been having in NSW, it has been extremely difficult to manage the kitchen garden... 'heart' forming lettuces are rotting away, tomatoes and chilis are late to ripen and the slugs and snails are having a field day. It is especially important to keep an eye out for pests in these conditions and treat them as necessary or you may find that when the rain does stop (???) there may be a few vegetables in a somewhat devoured state.



tiny caterpillar eggs on the underside of broccoli leaf


Some of you will have started planting out your first batch of brassicas - broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, etc. Although with the rain the Cabbage White Butterfly itself is not around, but you can be sure the eggs and baby caterpillars will be already in place, unless you have taken precautions. If you only have a few plants on the go, just rub the eggs off each time you notice them - the same with the caterpillars though they are sometimes hard to find... look along the plant veins!

tiny holes made by baby caterpillars

There are also other organic controls. Netting is the most effective way though not always practical. This keeps the adult butterfly away in the first place and so no eggs can be laid.



Yates have a product called Dipel which is sprayed on to the leaf. It contains a bacteria which is ingested by the caterpillar and basically gives the caterpillar stomach gripes and kills it in 3 - 5 days. It is totally safe to beneficial insects, bees and mammals.

Garlic spray can also be used as a repellent and to kill caterpillars.

Derris dust is an old favourite for controlling caterpillars and other grubs on leaves. The chemical, Rotenone, comes from roots of several plants and is classed as organic. A light dusting each week keeps all bugs and caterpillars at bay. It is not a good idea to use near ponds though as it is highly toxic to fish!