CβL Posted September 6, 2013 (edited) So I have a Salvia Divinorum (legal in New Zealand), and every summer, the butterflies (white cabbage butterflies, green caterpillars) come... and lay eggs on her, and they destroy her. I've had this problem for 2-3 years now, and I solve it by popping the caterpillars individually. Unfortunately I will not be able to do this this year, so I have literally two days to plant something next to her to get rid of caterpillars. There's 2 approaches: 1) Decoy plants.These are plants that attract the butterflies even more than the Salvia would, and they get eaten instead.http://sustainablelivingwise.com/natural-insect-repellent-caterpillars/ 2) Scarecrow plantsThese would be plants that by smell, or sight - ward of butterflies from landing near them. I'm unsure if these even exist.I planted 2x Kawakawa plants next to her, for shade reasons, but I'm also hoping that they somehow deter butterflies, somehow. I think I heard catnip can do this.edit: found thishttp://www.planitdiy.com/inspiration/in-lawn-garden/organic-gardening-repel-bugs-naturally-with-garden-herbs/Sage, and mint both seem to repel cabbage butterflies. I will have to buy some. stat. halp halp. Edited September 6, 2013 by CβL Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
nothinghead Posted September 6, 2013 Yeah go for the mint and other aromatics - catnip, rosemary, wormwood... If they don't work by just planting them around, make a tea with them and spray it on the salvias. I'd be wary of "decoy plants" as they could just be a feeding and breeding ground for the pests. Something I read a while back but have never tried is clover underplanting: "To reduce insect damage in the brassica family underplant with white clover (T. repens) or subterranean clover (Trifolium subterranean). works via masking the distinct scent of brassicas." I realise they aren't brassicas you're protecting, but it might be worth a try. Could become invasive though, so maybe test it out in a pot first? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CβL Posted September 6, 2013 I will be moving to Europe for a few months in 2 days time. No time for spraying or anything. I think I will go for some of those aromatics (not mint, since it's a weed and will take over the salvia). Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
simhanada Posted September 6, 2013 (edited) caterpillars massacred my mint earlier in the year edit: mind you, didn't go near my vietnamese mint Edited September 6, 2013 by simhanada Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
theuserformallyknownasd00d Posted September 6, 2013 Perhaps a bug net mate over a few stakes? IME it's your best bet Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Anodyne Posted September 6, 2013 It may be a crock, but I have heard that putting eggshells on the ground around plants will keep away cabbage moths. The theory was that the moths would see a big mass of white moth-sized objects already in the area and journey on looking for a less densely-populated place to lay their eggs. NFI if it actually works. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CβL Posted September 6, 2013 Bug net could work... I don't think I have time to sort it out though. I might try and delegate it.I'll try the eggshells thing - there's already a ton of eggshells on the compost heap barely 1 metre away. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
nothinghead Posted September 6, 2013 Give a couple of cuttings to a mate as insurance? 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CβL Posted September 6, 2013 They all grow her. But good idea. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
waterboy 2.0 Posted September 6, 2013 I heard mentions of wormwood for WCB , but cannot vouch for it. Again it would be based on the scent. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
shortly Posted September 7, 2013 I use white plastic butterfly cut outs on sticks dotted about the garden to deter cabbage whites laying, they see another butterfly already near the food plant so they keep looking for a host that doesn't already have eggs. At least that the theory & It seems to work. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
gtarman Posted September 7, 2013 ^^ I think it would..but never tried it. I was re-watching one of my favourite docco series ever, Attenborough's Private Life of Plants, and it was amazing how various plants have evolved to trick and manipulate insects to do their bidding or just leave them alone via mimicry. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites