Cabbage white butterflies – Pieris rapae – are one of the most common garden visitors across southern and eastern Australia. The butterfly looks elegant in white with black dots on its wings: females have a pair of black spots and males a single spot on each forewing. But their velvety green caterpillars are ravenous beasts on brassicas – the plant family that includes common vegetable crops such as cabbages, cauliflowers, broccoli, kale and bok choy.
The species was accidentally introduced into Melbourne in 1929 from Europe. Since then, cabbage whites have spread all over Australia, finally reaching Perth in 1943.
Because of their caterpillars’ addiction to eating brassicas, it is one of the most pervasive pests of any crop worldwide. Recent conditions have been favourable, resulting in large numbers of cabbage whites.
One female can lay up to 800 eggs. When they hatch, the caterpillars prefer densely planted hosts in moist, warm habitats. The caterpillars’ biomass can double each day, making them one of the fastest-growing cabbage-feeding caterpillars.
Details
Title
A great year to be a cabbage white butterfly: why are there so many and how can you protect your crops?
Creators
Nigel Andrew - Southern Cross University, Science
Publication Details
The Conversation
Publisher
The Conversation Media Group Ltd
Identifiers
991013180412302368
Academic Unit
Faculty of Science and Engineering; Science
Language
English
Resource Type
Magazine article
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A great year to be a cabbage white butterfly: why are there so many and how can you protect your crops?