They love theyre greens

Got to harvest my very 1st cabbage of the year today, i could not leave it growing any longer as it was apparent that it was getting eaten by caterpillars, each passing day more holes appeared. I was surprised when i took it indoors and took all the outer leaves away from it to see so many caterpillars still munching away on it, the 2 main culprits are always cabbage white caterpillars and cabbage moths and it was my understanding that they should of been long gone now, as its usually mid to late summer when they are more active, but with this crazy weather we have had nature has just gone crazy with it. I am not one for using pesticides on larger insects like caterpillars, im not that cruel, also some pesticides do make the veg you are growing taste disgusting... even though they get classed as pests they are welcome to have a munch on our cabbages anytime.
Anyway i could not stick them on the compost until i had photographed them

(1) Cabbage Moth Caterpillar



(2) ??

Im still seeing the odd Butterfly and Dragonfly around, No 2 may be a Small white.

Good captures Mark. There is such a thing as a free lunch

Aww! I quite like them <3 loads of butterflies and moths around here still too!

xx

Thanks Brian, yes it could be a small white, and a youngster at that. Not seen any butterflies around for the last few weeks though, although have set eyes on a few dragonflies a couple of weeks back. I just hope the weather we have had recently does not have a knock on effect for next year, killing a lot of the species over the winter because they are still out and about instead of hibernating......

Thanks Dave...I think they had eaten enough to last them the winter, always surprises me, insect being so small, how much they can put away

Just glad they saved enough for me and the missus The cabbage was delicious too

Thanks Laura Its just a shame they are not the caterpillars of a more colorful species of butterfly/moth. Although Large cabbage white caterpillars are very colorful but did not have any of these on the leaves......

I thought it strange to see a butterfly in the back garden last week.

Nicely captured Mark.

Cheers Ken

nice one Mark

Thanks Cakey