August 04, 2020
If you want to start your own plants, we highly recommend you to have a indoor grow tents and buy the relative equipment, such as full spectrum LED grow light, to help you. Because outdoor medicinal plants gardens are particularly prone to a whole array of different bugs and pests, probably because of the smell. One common critter that can be found in even the most cautious growers outdoor garden is the caterpillar.
Well… caterpillars are basically soft-bodied larvae, that is to say, very young insects that belong to the Lepidoptera family, a group of flying insects more commonly known as butterflies. There are more than 10,000 different species of caterpillars, although they all have some features in common: long, segmented bodies, six legs, and five pairs of pro-legs with small hooks. Besides, they're polyphagous, meaning they feed on a range of plants.
The life cycle of caterpillars is very simple: once the eggs hatch, they emerge and immediately start feeding on the plant nearest to them. When they reach a certain size, they enter the pupal phase, with some species sipping cocoons. After one week to one month, their metamorphosis comes to an end and butterflies or moths emerge.
We have explained that butterflies leave their eggs on the leafs of plants, but we haven't mentioned that these leafs will be the first vital sustenance for newly born caterpillars. It should be noted that not all caterpillars prefer the same type of leafs, so we can find different types of caterpillars on medicinal plants, but we will usually find the same type of caterpillars , belonging to the same species, if we cultivate in the same geographic location.
First of all, we must thoroughly observe the plant, looking at those leaves or buds that are found in the highest parts of the plants, where butterflies lay their eggs. At first sight it?s really complicated to be able to see the eggs, but if we carefully examine the plant they will be distinguished as small sets of dots that acquire different colours (white/yellow) and shapes (round or oval), depending on the type of butterfly egg.
After this initial inspection - and during the whole flowering period - we must look at the buds, starting at the top and thoroughly examining the rest of the plant in search of small black remains or darker parts of the buds, which are sign of rottenness. The first attacked flowers are the bigger ones, but without being extremely compact, so caterpillars can easily pierce them and devour the softer tissues, such as the small branches of the lower parts of the buds.
In the case of finding a caterpillar, we should make a daily inspection of the whole plant, especially on those hours when the Sun is low and the ambient humidity is high, although it is very easy to find them on the rest of the day, eating nonstop, as their hunger is insatiable and voracious.
If the caterpillar has already made itself at home in your medicinal plants crop, it's vital that you act as quickly as possible. Take note because here are some biological remedies that you can use:
Caterpillars are beautiful creatures that contribute to the biodiversity of any garden. Remember, they become butterflies that will eventually pollinate your vegetable patch! However, agriculture remains a tug of war between our ambition to grow food and medicinal plants and many creatures’ desire to eat them.
Prevention serves as the best strategy. If you know that your garden is a hotspot, utilise fabric barriers and insects early in the growing season. If you’re growing for the first time or haven’t experienced caterpillar issues, see how things go. You can always use the methods listed above to protect your plants and ensure a successful harvest.