The Beautiful Caterpillar

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Hello All,

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Any suggestions on how to get rid of there beautiful Caterpillars?

My Fennel and Dill are really being devoured and now their sights are on my Parsley.

I tried Ferti-Loam but they just seemed to love it so I tried just picking them off but they seem to come back even stronger.

All suggestions appreciated.

Thanks,

k4lop

(Gerry)

[Newt]

Gerry, those are the caterpillars for the swallowtail butterfly.* I think yours are the black swallowtail butterfly.* I actually plant dill and fennel for them.* Last year I found seven of them on one plant. I watched as the birds swooped down and devoured them all.* If you want butterflies you will need to tolerate the fact that dill, parsley and fennel are the larval food for the 'cats'.* You can click on the pics for a larger view.
http://butterflywebsite.com/gallery/catgal7.htm
http://www.oznet.ksu.edu/johnson/hor...wallowtail.htm

You can check out more butterflies and their 'cats' here.
http://butterflywebsite.com/gallery/index.cfm

Newt

Newt, I was right about the catapilliar and the type of butterfly it emerged into (I just didn't mention it in the post so I wouldn't sound quite as ignorant about these things as I am....gotta save some face). But I didn't know that this was a great means of attracting them. Next year I will plant a space for me and one for them and then move the larva to their patch!

This year though I would like the herbs for Sarah and me so I will continue picking and releasing them as I have done the past couple of days.

Thanks,

Gerry

[Newt]

Gerry, that's great news!* The first time I saw the caterpillars I had to go to the computer to look them up.* :)*

Newt