Nasturtiuns and Caterpillars

Johnjoe · August 2023

I planted some Nasturtiums around the garden to attract caterpillars and various other beast away from my beans and tomatoes, however, the caterpillars seem to have eaten all the nasturtiums. I'm left with empty stems and now they have moved to the last nasturtium along the flower bed. I'm assuming they are the standard Cabbage Whites, but will they shove off after the finish the last of the nasturtiums or move to eat everything in their path? Should I congratulate myself on being so "green" or implement an immediate "slash and burn" policy?

Ceres · August 2023

They will only eat certain plants and nasturtiums are a favourite. They are unlikely to attack your other plants but I have spotted some on linaria purpurea.

This from https://www.ukbutterflies.co.uk/species.php?species=brassicae The primary larval foodplant is Cabbage family (Brassicaceae). Nasturtium (Tropaeolum majus), Sea-kale (Crambe maritima) and Wild Mignonette (Reseda lutea) are also used.

Nasturtiuns and Caterpillars

Posts