confused about yellow eggs

[janeyo]

Hi the cabbage whites are a real problem for me.

I have been finding lots of clusters of yellow eggs in the underside of psb and some salad leaves. I assumed it was the cabbage whites..... until I saw one today! She laid one tiny white egg on the front of a leaf and flew off.

In which case what are these yellow eggs I am rubbing off? I really hope they are a pest or I have destroyed hundreds of good bugs.

Arrgh, more things to look for, now I have to keep looking for the tiny white eggs as well! It's turning into a full tiem job jst examing the brasicas!

janeyo

[di]

How yellow are we talking? I think ladybird eggs are a bright yellow!(sorry!)~It's all so confusing~I just about know my friends from foes once fully grown,but need a lesson on what they start off as!!

[Hilary B]

If they are on brassica leaves, they are cabbage white (or a close relation, most white butterflies like cabbages). The eggs are usually yellow, and come in clusters. Singles may be one of the less harmful 'cousins'..... One or two caterpillars won't hurt a plant, If you have a couple of dozen, you end up with the classic 'green lace curtains', and all you can do is give them to the chickens.

[lynda66]

Turning Earth: ladybirds - the gardener's friend ladybird eggs are yellow.

[janeyo]

Phew, thanks guys, they are def not ladybird eggs (think I would have cried if they were...). )They must be a butterfly. Will carry on happily rubbing them off, but might need to employ someone to look after my house and family in the meantime! lol

janeyo

[Tracey]

These are caterpillar eggs.

Google Image Result for http://www.freedigitalphotos.net/image/s_caterpillar-eggs.jpg

[rustylady]

If in doubt rub them off.

[liejay]

if in doubt try identifying them before rubbing them of, i wouldnt like to wipe out ladybird eggs or something usefull :-)