BUG ME

White butterfly

BY MELODY THOMAS

Name: Cabbage white butterfly, or white butterfly. “Small white” in Europe.

Māori name: Pepe mā Scientific name: Pieris rapae Status: Not threatened

Description: A small to medium-sized creamy white butterfly, 32–47mm across, with small black dots on its wings. As the only white butterfly we’re likely to see in these parts, pepe mā will be familiar to most New Zealanders. They are a common fixture in spring and summertime backyards and gardens, and the bane of many gardeners because of their fondness for cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli, rocket, and other brassicas.

Habitat: The white butterfly is native to Europe, Asia, and North Africa, but has spread through much of the world, hitching a ride on international food transportation. The butterfly was first found in New Zealand in 1929, and is thought to have arrived here via refrigerated ships, which pupae in diapauses (periods of suspended growth in adverse conditions), could have survived. Look/listen: Gardeners have a range of options at their disposal for avoiding brassica massacre by pepe mā. Leaves can be checked and eggs and caterpillars removed or sprayed. With cabbages, this is best done when they are still on the outside of the leaf, before they burrow into the centre of the plant. Covering with insect mesh is a good idea for crops which don’t require insects for pollination, or there are various sprays and powders available at garden centres. In 2016, a gardener named Jeff Reardon told the Kaikoura Star his trick for keeping white butterflies away – cutting out decoy butterflies from old ice-cream containers, adding a black line down the middle and some dots on the wings, attaching them to sticks, and poking them into the garden. Apparently pepe mā are very territorial, and this technique works a treat. Tell me a story: If you can’t be bothered combing over brassica leaves for eggs and caterpillars, or using dispersing mesh, powder or spray, try enlisting your kids (or your neighbour’s kids, if you haven’t any). As children we were given butterfly nets and earned 20 cents per lifeless body delivered to our parents, which helped keep the population under control as well as entertaining us away from the television.

Let’s get growing at home.

Tomatoes for salads, sandwiches, small spaces and snacking straight off the vine. In store now.

69-71 Miramar Avenue, Miramar, Wellington. 04 388 8435 www.palmers.co.nz miramar@palmers.net.nz