…apparently that’s the collective noun and it is certainly how it has felt. We have never had so many caterpillars on every type of brassicas – with Cabbage Whites still floating over head, obviously intent on their second breeding season.

We have simply been invaded by the caterpillars, over the last fortnight, from both types of Cabbage White butterfly – the Large White (a migratory visitor) and Small White (native to the UK). And, despite netting, both types have managed to lay large numbers of eggs which have hatched successfully!

The resulting off-spring have decimated our little selection of crops – the bright green, plump caterpillars (Small White) have munched their way through the summer and winter cabbages, whilst the yellow and black hairy caterpillars (Large White) have chosen the broccoli and red cabbage as their favourite foods. Only the kale seems to have survived – so far!

So the battle to save this year’s crop commenced – we are not keen on chemicals so have resorted to an early morning and late at evening ritual to remove eggs and caterpillars and spray the plants with Thyme Tea (plus sending off for some nematodes asap!).

Other organic advice was to leave any dead, parasitic caterpillars so that the parasites could spread but we haven’t had any dead caterpillars – just healthy, hungry ones!

Hopefully we’ll save some of the crop and next year… already investing in an ultra-fine net or fleece!

For other advice on protecting your crops – try the following articles:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/gardening/advice/pests_and_diseases/identifier.shtml?cabbage_white_butterflies

https://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profile?pid=457