[Salmo]

I found 5 cabbage white caterpillars about an inch long sitting on the edges of the leaves of one of my spring caulis today.

They must have survived the winter protected deep inside the plants.

[sunshineband]

This is the kind of prize I can do without -- first with caterpillars. Hardy souls though aren't they 

[paintedlady]

In the middle of winter, I noticed a couple of cabbage white caterpillars that seemed to be wedged inbetween wood joints on the shed or raised bed - I was amazed to find they were exposed to the elements, but I suppose later generation caterpillars probably just hibernate until spring then turn into a chrysalis in time for all those brassicas being planted out 

Suffice to say the two I found went to heaven ...

[Greengirl]

Are you sure they are cabbage whites? There is a bright green moth (I think but can't quite remember) caterpillar that is present throughout winter & spring. i've come across a couple in the odd plant too.

[mumofstig]

i had just read this and went out to shut greenhouse up..........there, climbing up the door a bright lime green caterpillar, now no more :blink:

[Greengirl]

Try the link for Cabbage moth caterpillar  are these them?

http://www.bioimages.org.uk/html/P2/P28961.php

[Greengirl]

Sorry technophobe - can't do links - obviously.

Linky sorted for you (Peapod)

[mumofstig]

the Cabbage Moth is greeny-brown all over with no "hair"
the Large Cabbage White has a yellow body with dark black markings all over the body
the Small Cabbage White is pale green all over with a velvet appearance

So mine was a small cabbage white....

and whatever they are they're still a pest

[Salmo]

The ones I found were definately large white cabbage caterpillars the same as the b.......s that were trying to eat their way through my crops last Summer