Clearing caterpillers

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Geordie

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Clearing caterpillers
« on: September 10, 2014, 22:58 »
I have 3 long raised beds in my tunnel and this year I've been inundated with caterpillar problems. I think the issue was I had the doors open continuously and should have been putting my mesh door up to keep the butterflies out.

Anyway, the damage has been done now. Next year I will keep my mesh door in at all times!

All I want to do now is ensure is that get rid of any remaining beasties including the any pupa that may be lurking in the soil.

Any tips on how I do this please.

Cheers

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8doubles

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Re: Clearing caterpillers
« Reply #1 on: September 11, 2014, 03:44 »
I believe that both white butterflies overwinter as adult butterflies so pupa may not be a problem.
Brassica moths may be different !
Dig over well and let the birds and weather get at them is the old method.

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Nobbie

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Re: Clearing caterpillers
« Reply #2 on: September 11, 2014, 09:01 »
If you had caterpillers on your tomatoes in there, then these do overwinter as pupae in the soil in purplish cases, so keep turning the soil over and hope the birds see them.

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Salmo

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Re: Clearing caterpillers
« Reply #3 on: September 11, 2014, 15:39 »
White cabbage caterpillars crawl upwards and tuck themselves into a corner to pupate and then hatch in the Spring. Some will remain hidden in your brassicas to emerge for a munch on mild days all Winter - that is every day in a polytunnel. All you can do is pick off or spray (salt or Py) an hope you get them all.


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