caterpillars

[lozzzz]

Although I want butterflies in the garden(i have lots this year) I dont want the caterpillars,but you cant have one without the other,so after picking about 20 off my nasturtians(thats not spelt right) I put them in my compost heap,(beehive style)thinking they'd have plenty to eat and do caterpillar things, but 5 mins later they was a mass exodus and I found them making a break for it,obviously they didnt like it.I dont want to kill them,should I set them free outside,I dont want them to eaten either.

[Clanad]

If you are finding the larvae primarily on your nasturtiums (correct spelling) they are most likely the Large White, also called Cabbage Whites (Pieris brassicae).  These are rather distasteful (pun only slightly intended) smelly members of the butterfly family. (They have a single black spot on each white wing).  Unfortunately, they raise two broods each year, with a third possible if conditions warrant.  I would simply dust the flower bed.  Several environmentally friendly preparations are available.  If you were raising cabbages or related vegetables, you would have to dust them in order to have any left at the harvest, since, as the name implies, they are drawn to these plants. Other, more desirable, varieties of butterflies, generally, will not bother your multi-colored nasturtiums.  As an aside, nasturtium leaves and flowers make a tasty salad... try this:

      15 ea Nasturtium leaves
      15 ea Nasturtium flowers
       2 ea Sweet onions, thinly sliced
       2 ea Tomatoes, thinly sliced
       2 ea Celery ribs, diced
     1/2 c  Tangy vinaigrette
           
   Arrange the nasturtium leaves around the outside of a large flat plate. Lay the flowers on top of the leaves with their stem ends pointing toward the centre of the dish.
   Working towards the centre of the plate, ad a layer of onions, then a layer of tomatoes.  Continue layering until the dish is full.
   Cover the salad & refrigerate for at least 2 hours to let the flavours blend.  Sprinkle with celery & drizzle with the vinaigrette.  Serve immediately.

Enjoy!

[lozzzz]

thanks clanad, I knew I could eat the leaves just not been that brave.

[woofgang]

I have given up nasturniums, they get coated in blackfly and caterpillars in my garden