Success in the garden!

[Susie]

I have planted lots of garlic mustard specifically for Orange Tip butterflies (but also for other whites if they were interested) and today I have counted dozens and dozens of eggs. I didn't realise until today that I had been looking at the wrong place on the plants for them. I am so happy!

[Pete Eeles]

Excellent - well done Rosy!

Cheers,

- Pete

[Denise]

Good for you Susie. I am so pleased for you.
Nice photo too.

Denise

[Susie]

It will be your turn next, Denise

[Matsukaze]

The tiny larvae can now be found around the flower-heads of the food plants.

[Susie]

Thanks. They haven't hatched yet in my garden, but an acquaintance has the larvae in his.

[Susie]

They hatched today. I am so proud.

[Martin]

Mummy!

[Polly]

Congratulations Susie!!

Can you take a photo of the larvae???

Polly

[Susie]

I will try to take a picture, Polly. I am a bit concerned for them because since I first saw them lots of the plants were blown over in the wind the other night and we have had torrential rain since then. Once it stops raining I will go and check their progress.

Hehe, Martin, I really am like a concerned mother hen clucking over her brood. I won't even let my real kids play near the garlic mustard in case it gets knocked!

[Susie]

And then there was one ...

I am sorry to say that over the past week virtually all of the caterpillars have disappeared. Tonight I could only find one.

There seems to be ants on every flower head though so I wonder if the caterpillars have been predated by them or if it is just a coincidence.

[Susie]

I took a quick snap tonight, Polly, but it is poor as the light was fading. I thought I had better do it now before this one goes too.

[Polly]

Thanks for taking the photo Susie, it certainly gives me a good indication as to what to look out for now in my garden.

Polly

[Susie]

And now that one is dead too. It has gone a bit black and squishy in the middle, so it is either parasites or some kind of fungal infection I guess.

All the caterpillars on the nettles have also gone.