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Produce => Wildlife forum => Topic started by: Digeroo on September 10, 2009, 10:24:33

Title: Emerald Green Caterpillar
Post by: Digeroo on September 10, 2009, 10:24:33
I have a very small number of extremely bright green caterpillars on my brassicas.  Not the normal dull green ones that lurk down the veins and are difficult to spot - brimstones.  These are larger and almost phosporescent in their greenness.  They are fatter and a different shape, perhaps a moth.

I squished one, but so far left the others, can anyone suggest a name.  Only two or three so I do not fear a cabbage white strip down.

Only other butterfly I have seen in a brown job with bright spots.  Though I have not seen a brimstone but certainly have the caterpillars.
Title: Re: Emerald Green Caterpillar
Post by: Unwashed on September 10, 2009, 11:00:21
Quote from: Digeroo on September 10, 2009, 10:24:33... can anyone suggest a name.
How about David Bellamy, he's fat, green and annoying. Seriously though, how about small whites?
Title: Re: Emerald Green Caterpillar
Post by: OllieC on September 10, 2009, 11:13:02
Quote from: Unwashed on September 10, 2009, 11:00:21
Quote from: Digeroo on September 10, 2009, 10:24:33... can anyone suggest a name.
How about David Bellamy, he's fat, green and annoying.

I think he became less green when he endorsed Domestos a few years ago?! Perhaps they could be Bill Oddie, which is generally greener than the Bellamy?  ;)
Title: Re: Emerald Green Caterpillar
Post by: Unwashed on September 10, 2009, 15:41:52
They're both rather hairy, it might be difficult to tell them apart.

Of course they might be David Cameron.  They can sometimes appear quite green, but when you look closely you see they're just a dirty blue.
Title: Re: Emerald Green Caterpillar
Post by: OllieC on September 10, 2009, 16:44:43
The David Cameron can be identified by it's slime.
Title: Re: Emerald Green Caterpillar
Post by: flossy on September 10, 2009, 17:57:57


   Oh please ----   don't  ' squish  '   , thats next years and the next year's butterfly or moth,

   ---   take them off and put them somewhere on a wild area ?  and they have to take thier

   chances thereafter,    we are getting short of these beautiful creatures  --  do it for your

   kids,    way to go  --      ;D   
Title: Re: Emerald Green Caterpillar
Post by: Digeroo on September 11, 2009, 13:43:42
Loved the jokes peoples.

Quotetake them off and put them somewhere on a wild area

Then they will just crawl back.  Sorry I have squished hundreds.  No shortage of cabbage white butterflies here there are hundreds of them.  I removed fifty sets of eggs on one single plant on one single day. 

Takes too long to pick them off, I can squish ten at a time.  Don't like doing it at all.

If I put the caterpillars into an area with no brassicas they will die slowly.  Or they will strip those wild brassicas instead. 

Something is happy because the death ones disappear very quickly.   I certainly try and leave any that are not cabbage white or brimstone.

Title: Re: Emerald Green Caterpillar
Post by: Unwashed on September 11, 2009, 18:07:22
I'm generally with Flossy on the no-killing thing, and I wouldn't kill a cabbage white indoors, but on the allotment I'm a squisher.  But I grew Great Mullein this year just for the Mullein Moth caterpillers - they're beautiful.
Title: Re: Emerald Green Caterpillar
Post by: flossy on September 11, 2009, 19:36:13


    Unwashed, you're my hero,      ;D
Title: Re: Emerald Green Caterpillar
Post by: Shirley on September 11, 2009, 19:42:31
Hi

If you've got a couple of hours to spare, then look through this site!

http://www.whatsthiscaterpillar.co.uk/
Title: Re: Emerald Green Caterpillar
Post by: flossy on September 11, 2009, 20:44:57

  Shirley , what a fantastic site   ----   Will put it on my favs for future use, I didn't

   find this when looking last year, thanks,     ;D
Title: Re: Emerald Green Caterpillar
Post by: Digeroo on September 11, 2009, 21:01:58
Great site. 

Will have to try and find a caterpillar and photograph it.  Can't see anything that matches yet.  Also got a multicoloured hairy one. 

If there is anyone who would like to give a good home to some cabbage white I will send you some caterpillars.   

Title: Re: Emerald Green Caterpillar
Post by: Twoflower on September 11, 2009, 21:08:02
Quote from: Digeroo on September 11, 2009, 21:01:58

If there is anyone who would like to give a good home to some cabbage white I will send you some caterpillars.   


In the post? ;D
Title: Re: Emerald Green Caterpillar
Post by: saddad on September 11, 2009, 21:09:47
The Cinnibar Moths and caterpillars are lovely too.. shame about the ragwort.  :-X
Title: Re: Emerald Green Caterpillar
Post by: Unwashed on September 12, 2009, 19:23:43
Quote from: saddad on September 11, 2009, 21:09:47
The Cinnibar Moths and caterpillars are lovely too.. shame about the ragwort.  :-X
Legalise ragwort!  :-X
Title: Re: Emerald Green Caterpillar
Post by: flossy on September 12, 2009, 19:25:04

  Unwashed,      ;D     ;D     ;D
Title: Re: Emerald Green Caterpillar
Post by: OllieC on September 12, 2009, 20:58:35
Quote from: Unwashed on September 12, 2009, 19:23:43
Quote from: saddad on September 11, 2009, 21:09:47
The Cinnibar Moths and caterpillars are lovely too.. shame about the ragwort.  :-X
Legalise ragwort!  :-X

It is legal until you let it go to seed... I think?
Title: Re: Emerald Green Caterpillar
Post by: Robert_Brenchley on September 13, 2009, 19:33:10
Quote from: Unwashed on September 12, 2009, 19:23:43
Legalise ragwort!  :-X

If you do that we'll have druggies smoking it on every street corner, and honest people won't be safe anywhere.
Title: Re: Emerald Green Caterpillar
Post by: Kea on September 23, 2009, 17:36:16
Sorry if I'm repeating someone's answer but the fat bright green ones are cabbage moth caterpillars.