What are Caterpillars and Codling Moths and how do they live (lifecycle)? • The caterpillar stage of the butterfly and moth's lifecycle comes in a vast range of sizes, shapes and colours. Fortunately very few of these are of any problem to the gardener that need controlling. • The most common of the troublesome ones are the distinctive Large and Small Cabbage White Caterpillars, up to 40mm and 25mm long respectively. The Large Cabbage White has distinctive yellow and black markings and a hairy body. The Small Cabbage White Caterpillar is pale green with a velvety appearance. They both have two generations a year with caterpillars occurring from spring to early autumn. • The Gooseberry Sawfly is a pest that attacks gooseberries and red and white currants and can strip them of all leaves. All three species of Gooseberry Sawfly Caterpillars are up to 20mm long, pale green and with two of the species being heavily marked with black spots. Damage starts mid to late spring, but there can be several generations in a season. • The Codling Moth Caterpillar is small and white with a brown head. It burrows into the fruit of apples and pears in mid to late summer. By the time the fruit is ripe they have finished feeding and drop on to the bark of the tree and the soil immediately underneath to overwinter ready for the moths to emerge in the late spring. • Indoors, caterpillar damage can occur outside the usual times. What damage do caterpillars do and how do I recognise it?: • Cabbage White Caterpillars can decimate a vegetable plot, especially brassicas or ornamental beds, especially nasturtiums. The Large Cabbage White feeds mainly on the outer leaves leaving holes and sometimes completely stripping leaves. The Small Cabbage White feeds mainly on the hearts of cabbages and other brassicas. • By the time that the fruit is ready for picking the Gooseberry Sawfly can completely strip the leaves of the fruit bushes leaving them severely weakened and producing a poor crop the following year. • The Codling Moth feeds on the core of the fruit of apples and pear and to a lesser extent walnut and quince. When they have eaten the fruit they exit leaving a small reddish brown hole in the skin with brown droppings know as frass. Upon cutting the fruit open you may find that there is very little left that can be eaten. Nemasys Caterpillar and Codling Moth Killer: - environmentally friendly and safe for children, pets and wildlife • Nemasys Caterpillar and Codling Moth Killer is the simple solution to control caterpillars. • To control caterpillars apply as soon as the caterpillars are first seen applying to all leaf surfaces where the pest is present. Make sure to spray pests with a solution as caterpillars not directly sprayed will not be controlled. • To control Codling Moths apply September to October to the trunk of the tree/main branches and to an area of soil equal to the tree cover above. • Wet the area before applying the nematodes and apply with a pump sprayer so that all areas are treated. The pack contains sufficient for two further applications at 5 to 7 day intervals, this ensures that all hatchings are targeted. • The nematodes (Steinernema carpocapsae), attack the pest by entering natural body openings. Once inside, they release bacteria that stops the larvae from feeding, quickly killing it and breaking the pest's lifecycle. • Nemasys Caterpillar and Codling Moth Killer is available in a pack to treat 3 x 40m2 of open ground or up to 20 trees.
