I just learned recently about cole crop moth/worms, otherwise would not have thought to look under the leaves, let alone determine the significance of teeny bumps... the imported cabbageworm does lay wee elongated whitish eggs, singly (so might see 1 or 2 on a leaf). Pics in this link: http://www3.telus.net/conrad/insects/icw.html For my potted crops, I don't have too many so looking under & just squishing the eggs actually worked. But in the (rather crowded) garden bed I haven't been so diligent - hence, more holey leaves (slugs also seem more active there). Apparently there are other such critters too; the link below doesn't have pics but does describe the moths, larvae, and where to find the eggs. Here is a link that might be useful: Cabbage patch pests: http://eap.mcgill.ca/CPCM_8.htm

Interesting. I've never had hornworms on my grapes. Thanks for the tip. You can control any type of caterpillar with products containing Bacillus thuringensis - commonly called "Bt". It's a bacteria that only targets caterpillars and is safe to use around edibles, pets, and fish. A similar product is used to control mosquitoes. Look for brand names like Thuricide, etc. Mix and spray on your vines. When the caterpillars eat the leaves containing the bacteria they die. It works better when caterpillars are young and you may need to spray several times during the season to catch new generations.

I have a general book that I have found worth what I paid for it Because I am interested in insects. It is titled Field Guide To INSECTS AND SPIDERS of NORTH AMERICA. The book is sponsored by the National Wildlife Federation. It is soft cover,and abt 8"x 5". It has abt 497 pages,and contents seem to be almost a "mini text" in entomology for a hobbyist. The moth section runs for abt 42 pages with 123 individual Moth color photos.The photos are abt 2 1/2"x2 1/2". I counted abt 65 caterpillar photos scattered thru the moth Photos in small window inserte,I suppose they used what they had. Photos were generally stacked on the right side of the page Usually three to a page with text to the left side on the same page. The text gave information for each moth's photo,with Common name,Latin name,and size in inches and mm. Range,and life ways were given for the moth. The caterpillars were usually discussed,also. I recognised some moths and cats I have seen here from This book.I live in south AL in mixed Eastern woodlands. The front cover of the book folds open to show accurate Line drawings of insect anatomy to include some interesting Drawings of heads that depict evolutionary adaptation of Mouth parts. There is a section in the back abt collecting,classifying, Also setting up aquariums for aquatic insects(which I did) And a glossary,a pronunciation guide,a Orders of Arthropods in North America list,and a Endangered list. The book is $19.95 U.S. DD

So how many instars does bird poop go through BG? LOL N. antiopa is so common in the west it rivals P. rapae for being found everywhere. At just about any riparian area with willows you'll find their ova or larva from spring to fall. 20 odd years ago my son reared maybe 300 of them for a school project. Since they would emerge while we were away on a butterfly trip to southern Utah, we took the pupa with us in our RV. They started to eclose while we were camped at a place called Pine Lake about 15 miles north of Bryce Canyon Nat'l Park. The other campers and camp ground hosts were so taken with the releases every day and all the BF's flying around that somebody drove into town and told the local paper about it. A reporter showed up with a photog in tow to get the story. Made the front page of the paper with several pictures, but better yet allowed us to make the public aware of butterfly conservation.