THE SUDDEN influx of white-winged butterflies on the Mornington Peninsula has some people reaching for the insecticide, but experts say there is no need to be alarmed.
The white butterfly invasion has been sparked by recent hot weather and the rapid growth of food source for the butterfly larvae and is occurring all over the country.
Some gardeners are taking extra precautions to protect their vegie patches, but the butterflies – also known as cabbage moths – won’t be around for long, and provide a source of food for birds.
President of the Filed Naturalists Association of Victoria, Max Campbell, says fine netting over vegetables was the best and safest solution for the weeks are butterflies are around.
“There is not much to worry about as they don’t live long, and the thing to do is net vegies so they can’t stop and lay their eggs on them,” he said.
He said killing insects with insecticides usually backfired, with the “good” insects being killed and pollinators then not available for crops.
First published in the Southern Peninsula News – 13 February 2024