To squish or not to squish!

[Kleftiwallah]

As an (attempting) organic gardener I'm not using chemicals and I'm amazed at the different types of caterpillars on the ground, under the ground and on the crops, green ones big and small, muddy coloured ones and hairy ones.

Could someone direct me to a P&S (plain and simple) website where I can identify caterpillars and decide if they grow into a flying thing that will eat my crops or one that will do some good in the garden? Cheers, Tony.

[Kayleigh]

Just try to identify them from this website you can look in the Gallery or post some shots for id.
But please don't squish them..
There will always be something that will predate them and given time you will have a natural balance like I have so stop worrying about whats eating your crops and plant a few extra..

PS..

If your that worried net the crops to stop the host laying eggs in the first place..

Welcome to WAB.

[ron1863]

I don't think there is a decent web site for caterpillar ID, though you may see a few on Butterfly and Moth sites. I would just leave them to nature anyway.

[charlieb]

The best (IMO ) is Eggs, Larvae, Pupae and Adult Butterflies and Moths - but it does take a while if you can't narrow it down to family.

decide if they grow into a flying thing that will eat my crops or one that will do some good in the garden?

All insects will do some good in the garden - moths and butterflies (no adults eat plants, only the larvae do) in particular will pollinate flowers and provide food sources for birds, other insects, bats etc

[Cheryl]

Hi Kleftiwallah

Have you tried/thought of/have the space for companion planting? I'm assuming you are growing veggies?

For example

Plant French marigolds in between tomato plants to deter aphids.

Grow carrots and leeks together. Both have strong scents that drive away each other's pests.

Plant nasturtium with cabbages - they're a magnet for caterpillars that will then leave the cabbages alone.

Garlic planted among roses will ward off aphids.

Grow dill in the garden to attract aphid-eating hoverflies.

Make sure companion plants are planted at the same time as your edible crops to prevent pests from getting a foothold.

I've no idea if any of this works but I have read it and heard it many times, and they talk about it on "GQT" so there must be some substance it it.

[Jonners]

I reckon you've already found one of the best places for identifying caterpillars etc. If you can take a photo and upload it, start a thread and ask for ID of your photo, and I'm sure you'll get the answer, and usually pretty quickly too. I found out that the critters eating my Solomons Seal were Solomons Seal Sawfly! I'd never even heard of them, and haven't a clue where I would have started looking. I could have spent ages looking through caterpillars, but got the answer here very quickly. Top place

[Kayleigh]

Originally Posted by Jonners

I reckon you've already found one of the best places for identifying caterpillars etc. If you can take a photo and upload it, start a thread and ask for ID of your photo, and I'm sure you'll get the answer, and usually pretty quickly too. I found out that the critters eating my Solomons Seal were Solomons Seal Sawfly! I'd never even heard of them, and haven't a clue where I would have started looking. I could have spent ages looking through caterpillars, but got the answer here very quickly. Top place

I said the same in the second post down you really cant beat this site for ids and the rest.

[watsthat]

Originally Posted by Kayleigh

Just try to identify them from this website you can look in the Gallery or post some shots for id.
But please don't squish them..
There will always be something that will predate them and given time you will have a natural balance like I have so stop worrying about whats eating your crops and plant a few extra..

PS..

If your that worried net the crops to stop the host laying eggs in the first place..

Welcome to WAB.

Good advice Kayleigh.

I`ve been growing veg organically for a long time and have developed my own ideas over the years. The only caterpillars that really concern me are the large and small whites (cabbage whites) and netting plus encouragement of predatorial species, (mainly wasps and hoverflies), seems to keep them under control. I`ve just posted in another thread about Phacelia, this is an annual flowering plant that is easy to grow, flowers profusely and is a magnet for insects. Sometimes the balance is upset and a pest gets the upperhand but then the predators build up to take advantage. It`s all about achieving a balance, i.e. you have to have some pests so that the beneficial life forms can exist. Don`t forget that birds and amphibians have a role to play as well, you just need lots of stuff!

Pete

[2dogs2000]

Originally Posted by Kayleigh

Just try to identify them from this website you can look in the Gallery or post some shots for id.
But please don't squish them..
There will always be something that will predate them and given time you will have a natural balance like I have so stop worrying about whats eating your crops and plant a few extra..

PS..

If your that worried net the crops to stop the host laying eggs in the first place..

Welcome to WAB.

What about lily beetles Kayleigh

[Kayleigh]

Originally Posted by 2dogs2000

What about lily beetles Kayleigh

I knew they would come back to haunt me...

I stick by my lilies anyway that dreaded beetle is not native and the slugs and snails were tadpole food.