Born Albino

I used to love these butterflies as a kid, to be honest Im sure I just loved butterflies. It is a Cabbage White Butterfly, a European species of Butterfly that was introduced to Australia in 1937. It spread rapidly and can be found in all states and territories, however it is more common in the Southern regions. It is distinctive white colouring makes it easily recognisable, and it has 2 black spots on the upper side of its wings. You can just see the staining of these spots in the photo. The catterpillars are just your typical green cylindrical green caterpillar, and feed on the soft leaves of cabbages, nasturtiums, and similar plants. The adults are nectar feeders.

If you wish to control these pests, it is best to do so during the caterpillar stage. If you are able to, pick them off and squish them. This is tedious, but effective and probably the most environmentally friendly way of doing it. I have found that if you put flour (plain or self raising) in a large salt shaker and dust the plants when they are still damp from due, this will help kull down the population of catarpillars. It worked wonders for my nanna's rhubarb.

If you have large areas to maintain, then there are some eco friendly sprays that you can try. Pyrethrum is widely available as a spray, it is derived from a genus of plants. The other solution I have tried is called Success, and it contains a bacteria that attacks the caterpillars. Both I have found to be rather successful, however they are contact sprays, which means you actually have to get the spray on the pest for it to be effective. So that means you have to be thorough when you spray, so get underneath the leaves and give it all a good coat.