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Cabbage White Butterfly is a name used to describe two butterfly species; Large Cabbage Whites (Pieris brassicae) and Small Cabbage Whites (Pieris rapae). Both produce caterpillars that cause significant damage. Large Cabbage White Caterpillars are distinctive with yellow and black markings and up to 4-5cm in size. They produce multiple generations a year and lay eggs in clusters on the underside of leaves. Small Cabbage White Caterpillars are more diminutive, pale green in colour, and up to 3cm in length. They lay individual eggs on the underside of leaves.
Large Cabbage White Caterpillars feed on outer leaves, making irregular sized holes. Their favourite plant targets are Cabbages, Brassicas, Nasturtiums and Turnips. Small Cabbage White Caterpillars also feed on the outer leaves, but will also bore into the centre of plants and feed predominately at night. Their favourite plant targets are; Cabbages, Cauliflowers, Radishes, Broccoli, Nasturtiums and other ornamental plants.
Covering plants with netting and fleecing will reduce butterfly egg laying but will also restrict access and air movement to plants, which may make them disease-prone. One way to keep plants healthy, and resistant to attacks from pests and diseases, is to supply them with calcium. Regular applications of our liquid Calcium Boost will give plants a multi-functional boost and even make them less attractive to pests such as Cabbage White Butterfly. Calcium Boost is safe to use on edible plants and leaves no visible residue.
If Cabbage White Caterpillars are already present on plants, try to physically remove them, but if this is not possible apply our Caterpillar Killer Nematodes directly onto the caterpillars. The nematodes will enter the caterpillars on contact and kill them from inside. Nematodes provide a safe and natural way to kill pests on edible plants, as they are harmless to humans. Nematode applications are made easier and more accurate when applied with our Nema Super Sprayer.
