Green Caterpillars

This morning I found these green caterpillars eating my broccoli and Brussel sprouts seedlings. Does anyone know what kind they are and how to get rid of them? Will they move on to any other kinds of plants? Netting for sure next spring. I did see a whitish butterfly flit around my garden not too long ago. Thank you!

I would say that they produce the white cabbage butterfly that willl repruduce the green caterpillers that produce. . . . .

Pick them off if you see them, then squish. I'm sure someone will come up with an organic home spray.

I am going to cover my crops with something. Must look it up.

The organic spray it BT Thuricide. Dispel.

I echo the previous recommendations. Pick'em and squish 'em. Look for REALLY tiny ones and get them too, then cover your plants with tulle, or another barrier netting to keep the adult female moth from laying more eggs on the brassica plants. Also, there are quite a few back threads about cabbage worms.

Thank all of you. I googled and yes they are white cabbage butterfly larva and the butterfly photos are exactly what I saw flitting around last month. I picked a couple dozen for dispatching. Plus I am pulling out the badly damaged seedlings and young plants for this season. I will try BT on the 2 best surviving plants.

This is my first year gardening (SFG with a side order of container and vertical gardening). I started and planted over 200 seedlings in different boxes, exposed to different sun / shade exposures, to see what grows best and where. [Or if I could even sfg garden at all!!] This fall and next spring, I will plant all of the cabbage family / kale in one bed and build a tall frame for netting. I bought lots of netting to experiment with so I will put some netting over the 2 surviving squares. Maybe buy a butterfly net?

Those seedlings that were munched on will bounce back given a little bit of time! And, you can cover individual plant by draping the tulle and sort of tucking it in or using clothespins to hold the bottom together.

Pepper wrote:The organic spray it BT Thuricide. Dispel.

I'm sure I bought it at HD a year or so ago but the people there now have no idea what it is.

I found Garden Safe brand at Lowes:
http://www.lowes.com/pd_368920-316-HG-93190_4294730885__?productId=3499852&Ns=p_product_qty_sales_dollar|1

Lindacol wrote:

Pepper wrote:The organic spray it BT Thuricide. Dispel.

I'm sure I bought it at HD a year or so ago but the people there now have no idea what it is.

I found Garden Safe brand at Lowes:
http://www.lowes.com/pd_368920-316-HG-93190_4294730885__?productId=3499852&Ns=p_product_qty_sales_dollar|1

That organization need a cheat sheet in their garden department if they persist in hiring people with limited knowledge. It's really baffling, the lack of training in some of these places. They really should put more effort into helping their associates understand the store's products.

Do they like turnips too??
Renee

Pepper wrote:The organic spray it BT Thuricide. Dispel.

Thank you, Pepper.

gregrenee88 wrote:Do they like turnips too??
Renee

Yes.

Of course! BT Thuricide is not available in CA! Maybe BT in another form.

My bad. The Safer products are available.

camprn wrote:That organization need a cheat sheet in their garden department if they persist in hiring people with limited knowledge. It's really baffling, the lack of training in some of these places. They really should put more effort into helping their associates understand the store's products.

ROFL. But don't you enjoy the vacant look on their faces when you ask for something?

Me: "Do you carry vermiculite?"
HD garden department person: "Vermicu-wha-sis ... is that a flower?"

....I kid you not.

drixnot wrote:

camprn wrote:That organization need a cheat sheet in their garden department if they persist in hiring people with limited knowledge. It's really baffling, the lack of training in some of these places. They really should put more effort into helping their associates understand the store's products.

ROFL. But don't you enjoy the vacant look on their faces when you ask for something?

Me: "Do you carry vermiculite?"
HD garden department person: "Vermicu-wha-sis ... is that a flower?"

....I kid you not.

A teachable moment if there ever was one.

here are some of the more common brassica plants; those the moth/cabbage worm attacks; the list is near the bottom: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cruciferous_vegetables

BT comes in several formulas the Thuricide is the one I use. It does not kill on contact! It stops the caterpillars from eating; like lock jaw; by shutting down their digestive system. Although labeled an "organic" some reports of ecological damage with it's use are out there.

Regarding the cabbage worm, thank you for the link to the list of crucifers. Everything that we love to eat!! Looks like I will have to spray half my garden!

Pepper wrote:here are some of the more common brassica plants; those the moth/cabbage worm attacks; the list is near the bottom: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cruciferous_vegetables

BT comes in several formulas the Thuricide is the one I use. It does not kill on contact! It stops the caterpillars from eating; like lock jaw; by shutting down their digestive system. Although labeled an "organic" some reports of ecological damage with it's use are out there.

The term 'Organic' is not synonymous with safe or non toxic. Bt is an insecticide; that is it's purpose , it kills things.

A couple of other great organic caterpillar killers: Diatomaceous Earth or a mix of flour and red pepper sprinkled on and around the plant and base. The DE will cut, dehydrate and kill them. The flour/red pepper will stop them from feeding fairly quickly and then they die because they can't digest it. These can only be used in dry conditions and may need to be reapplied 2-3x depending on infestation and life cycle. You can use an recycled shaker container or a paper bag w/ a few small holes in the bottom to distribute your mix.

I've also heard of success w/ spraying a diluted ammonia mixture, but cannot confirm mix percentage or effectiveness. Also, I imagine it would be best to wait 3 days before harvesting to allow time for ammonia to break down?

If you are still fortunate enough to harvest during an infestation, I have heard that soaking your veggies in salt water gets rid of any live bugs, but have had better luck w/ soaking in diluted vinegar (1/4C to full sink) for at least 20min. The vinegar soak is a regular practice in our house as it disinfects, kills bugs and acts as a preservative (especially nice on making fruit last longer!).

sanderson wrote:Of course! BT Thuricide is not available in CA! Maybe BT in another form.

I bought the thuricide at a CA HD probably a year or so ago.

Now my local Lowes had the Garden Safe brand I mentioned above.

Saw the first white butterfly an hour ago.     I've been running around the garden like a bride, tulle here, tulle there!  

I'll loan you this  
Now you just need something old, new, and blue!

Let's see, I'm old, the butterfly is new.  Just need something blue. . .

Opps, my photo isn't posting today.

sanderson wrote:Saw the first white butterfly an hour ago.     I've been running around the garden like a bride, tulle here, tulle there!  

    Funny you should say that.  Every spring I talk about going out to dress the brides.

Kay