Butterfly – cabbage (lat.Pieris brassicae)

Willow (Latin Salix)

Willow is a woody plant from the Willow family. Loves humidity, grows in damp places. Thanks to a good root system, willows are used to anchor soils, coastal edges of rivers, and dam slopes.

All plants Photo of an adult femalePhoto of an adult female

The wingspan of an adult male is 49 to 62 mm, of a female 51-63 mm. The color of the butterfly’s wings is white, they have several black spots. The outer corner of the forewings is practically rounded to the middle and has a dark edging. Also, there is a stain on the inner edge. A distinctive feature of the female is the presence of median spots on the wings. Below the wings are yellow, covered with black pollen.

Caterpillars of a butterfly - cabbageCaterpillars of a butterfly – cabbage

The caterpillar is yellow-green in color, with light hairs. An adult caterpillar has 16 legs, length up to 35 mm. During their life cycle, they experience 4 molts. Butterflies are fertile, the number of eggs ranges from 130 to 300 eggs, making 2 clutches per year, rarely, with prolonged autumn a third is possible.

Clutches of eggs are located on the underside of plant leaves. Butterflies lay their eggs from April to June. The pupa of a butterfly is light greenish, hibernates in the soil.

Clutch of cabbage butterfly eggsClutch of cabbage butterfly eggs

What is dangerous

Young larvae and caterpillars harm the crop, completely eating away the soft tissue of cabbage leaves, horseradish, rutabagas, turnips. The greatest harm is done to cabbage. Poisoning of birds feeding on caterpillars was found.

Time of appearance

In the spring, starting in April.

How it spreads

Cabbage is an active migrant. Butterflies can fly long distances in search of food.

What contributes to

The optimum temperature for development is 20-26 degrees Celsius.

Prevention

  • Digging in the fall is a good preventive measure. Pupae turned up on top of the soil before wintering die at low temperatures.
  • In spring, harvesting flowering weeds that can attract butterflies.
  • Collecting caterpillars by hand.

Methods of struggle

  • Mechanical harvesting of young caterpillars.
  • Folk safe way: spraying plant leaves with valerian solution. Proportion for solution: 50 ml of tincture per 3 liters of water.
  • Fitoverm treatment – in a proportion of 2 ml per 10 liters of water. Chemicals are more effective when applied to young individuals. Also, chemical treatment should be applied before the head is set.
You can bookmark this page

Anna Evans

Author-editor

View all posts by Anna Evans →