Do caterpillars hibernate?

[slimrbp]

In our garden at the moment we have quite a few Toadflax Brocade caterpillars on the Purple and Common Toadflax and some Large White Caterpillars on the Nasturtium.

As Autumn is drawing near I was wondering will the caterpillars overwinter as they are, as a pupa or will they attempt to pupate fully and overwinter as a moth/butterfly?

Thanks.

[aeshna5]

Both of those species should overwinter as pupae.

Toadflax Brocade used to be pretty rare, found on a few south coast locations. In the last few years it now seems well established in the London area. I have larvae every year now in the garden- some recently + also at work.

Depending on the species butterflies + moths can overwinter at any of the life stages, though is consistent for each species.

[slimrbp]

Thank you.