loads of caterpillars on yellow wildflower-id please!

[charlieb]

I think I can make out some Large White butterfly caterpillars?

[KeenTeen17]

My first thought is Rape, but the fruits look more like Garlic Mustard. Although if you say the flowers were yellow then Rape is most likely.

[mrshcurtis]

the caterpillar looks slightly different from the one in the link sent but thank you. they looked a bit like this Google Image Result for http://extension.missouri.edu/explore/images/ipm1019dustybirchsawfly.jpg fuzzier. sorry, this is a realy puzzle as i'm not much help but i appreciate you all checking in and letting me know what you think!

[KeenTeen17]

Originally Posted by mrshcurtis

the caterpillar looks slightly different from the one in the link sent but thank you. they looked a bit like this Google Image Result for http://extension.missouri.edu/explore/images/ipm1019dustybirchsawfly.jpg fuzzier. sorry, this is a realy puzzle as i'm not much help but i appreciate you all checking in and letting me know what you think!

I don't think we get the Dusky Birch Sawfly in the UK. Its American most likely. If we get some agreements on the plant ID then we can ID the caterpillar by looking at which species are common on the plant. I like puzzles

[mrshcurtis]

yea, i just cannot find a pic of the plant though. i have googled everything i can think of. just wondering why the caterpillars have decided on this little flower and if they'll make cocoons on the flowers??? thanks again all for your help. you're much more knowledgeable than i am!

[KeenTeen17]

Originally Posted by mrshcurtis

yea, i just cannot find a pic of the plant though. i have googled everything i can think of. just wondering why the caterpillars have decided on this little flower and if they'll make cocoons on the flowers??? thanks again all for your help. you're much more knowledgeable than i am!

This plant looks like a member of the Cruciferae so theres a link to a table below this writing.

UK Butterflies - Foodplants

The foodplants for Orange Tip, Small White and Green Veined White occur on Garlic Mustard and Turnip and Charlock which are possibilities of ID for your plant. If you click on the name of the larva then scroll down and you should come to the pictures of the caterpillars.

Good luck

[mrshcurtis]

i think we have a winner!! turnip looks the closest, just have to take a closer look at the foliage tomorrow morning, but i think that may well be it. well done keenteen17. thank you. don't care what caterpillar it is, just nice to have butterflies in the garden- kids have been read 'the very hungry caterpillar' hundreds of times and think it's very 'cool' to have pre-butterflies in the garden. thanks for all you help everyone. will the caterpillars make cocoons on the plant soon???

[KeenTeen17]

Originally Posted by mrshcurtis

i think we have a winner!! turnip looks the closest, just have to take a closer look at the foliage tomorrow morning, but i think that may well be it. well done keenteen17. thank you. don't care what caterpillar it is, just nice to have butterflies in the garden- kids have been read 'the very hungry caterpillar' hundreds of times and think it's very 'cool' to have pre-butterflies in the garden. thanks for all you help everyone. will the caterpillars make cocoons on the plant soon???

if its the foodplant then yes they should A picture of the foliage of the plant should confirm whether or not Rape or Turnip because they are very similar.