Forum home› Wildlife gardening

Toadflax brocade moth caterpillars

B3B3 Posts: 25,241
edited July 2022 in Wildlife gardening
Do they just eat the leaves or do they eat the seed heads as well?
I want to tidy up the toadflax but I don't want to deprive them of food unnecessarily.
In London. Keen but lazy.
«1

Posts

  • LynLyn Posts: 21,923
    I didn’t think caterpillars ate the seeds,  the Mullein moth caterpillars don’t.
    i always keep the Toadflax dead headed so they keep blooming.
    Gardening on the wild, windy west side of Dartmoor. 

  • B3B3 Posts: 25,241
    I try to but it doesn't always work out😉
    They seem to have eaten most of the leaves on their chosen plant  but never seem inclined to move to an adjacent leafy plant. I'll assume they know what they're doing.
    In London. Keen but lazy.
  • LynLyn Posts: 21,923
    That’s a good thing then,  you’ll always have a supply of weeds, wildflowers in your garden and they’ll leave your good plants alone. 😉
    Gardening on the wild, windy west side of Dartmoor. 

  • FireFire Posts: 17,116
    I dead head mine - taking down by half each time, so they still have something to eat. 
  • B3B3 Posts: 25,241
    It makes you wonder what it is about a specific type plant that appeals to a specific type of caterpillar.
    In London. Keen but lazy.
  • FireFire Posts: 17,116
    Co-evolution. but yes, are there specific micro nutrients they get or are they just ‘fussy eaters’? 
  • FireFire Posts: 17,116
    I have been thinking quite a bit this summer about just how niche moths and butterflies are - often dedicated to just one plant. It seems like a terrible genetic plan - to be so specific. Grand evolutionary successes like wood lice, rats and cockroaches can pretty much live anywhere and have a wide diet. 
  • B3B3 Posts: 25,241
    Let me know if you work it out @Fire🤔
    In London. Keen but lazy.
  • Slow-wormSlow-worm Posts: 1,426
    I always think when I find a caterpillar, "where do I put you?" I can't memorise them all and the plants they eat.
  • FireFire Posts: 17,116
    I would reckon that the caterpillar is probably pretty close to where it wants to be, so just leave it where it is.
Sign In or Register to comment.