Butterfly Cycle

What Does Butterfly Cycle Mean?

In gardening, the Cabbage White Butterfly causes irreversible damage in crops, especially during warmer months. This butterfly species is particularly common in Tasmania, where they are active during the winter as well. To successfully eradicate this type of pest, it is important to properly identify the butterfly cycle.

Maximum Yield Explains Butterfly Cycle

While most butterflies are harmless to crops, the Cabbage White is detrimental to brassica gardens, especially radish, kale, broccoli, cabbage, mustard greens, and turnips. Most butterfly eggs have a spindle shape and yellowish tint. They are commonly laid on the host plant’s outer leaves.

As they evolve into the larval stage, they take on a bright green color, often enhanced by yellowish stripes down the back. At this stage, the Cabbage White Butterfly can grow up to 30mm. During the Pupae phase, the pest can grow up to 18mm long.

To control the Cabbage White Butterfly, gardeners often resort to decoys, traps, chemical and cultural controls alike. In some cases, a netting barrier can prevent adult butterflies from laying eggs on top of plants.