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caterpillars on buddleia

I know this may be a silly question given that they are called butterfly bush but I am new to growing buddleia and although it is not in flower there are caterpillars eating one of my buddleias (all my others are free from them). I thought the plants only attracted butterflies but now wonder if they are natural food for the caterpillars. Any info much appreciated!

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  • bekkie hughesbekkie hughes Posts: 5,294
    I dont know of a species that usually eats buddelia, but if they arent doing a huge amount of damage, its probably best to leave them be. What do they look like? image
  • bekkie hughesbekkie hughes Posts: 5,294
    What would you reccomend Edd? image
  • bekkie hughesbekkie hughes Posts: 5,294
    I am, not sure about poppygirl, thanks for that Edd image
  • Poppy GirlPoppy Girl Posts: 36
    Yes I live in England. As they are not catapillars of native butterflies I will get rid of them. They actually looked like cabbage white caterpillars but obviously not if they are not native
  • Fishy65Fishy65 Posts: 2,276

    Talking of caterpillars I've got eggs under the leaves of my nasturtiums.I'm assuming they are of the white butterflies.

  • nutcutletnutcutlet Posts: 27,445

    Nettles are only best for some caterpillars

    and I would ID your caterpillars before you decide they're not native.

    If you grow a selection of shrubs and flowers from different families you'll have the best chance of attracting the greater number of species.

     

     



    In the sticks near Peterborough
  • bekkie hughesbekkie hughes Posts: 5,294
    Erm at the risk of sounding thick, whats wrong with none native ones, springwatch seemed very happy that we are getting a population of continental swallowtails. Most caterpillars are fairly harmless arent they? Dont know a huge amount about this so please dont shout at me! image
  • nutcutletnutcutlet Posts: 27,445

    Nothing wrong with non native. We all wait in anticipation for the hummingbird hawkmoth to turn up. They can fly and a southerly wind brings them in. It's just nature

     



    In the sticks near Peterborough
  • bekkie hughesbekkie hughes Posts: 5,294
    I had one in wolves a couple of years ago, aparently all you need is ladys bedstraw? Might have just been a lucky year image
  • nutcutletnutcutlet Posts: 27,445

    The moths like lots of plants. Ceratostigma willmottianum is number one here. Though maybe I think that because it's just outside the window so I see it there more often

    I think the larvae like hedge bedstraw as well which is good because I have loads of that. Not much lady's BS now



    In the sticks near Peterborough
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