black caterpillars on my silverbeat

[bret]

HI all

i am new to this forum but looking for info on black caterpillars. I have sprayed pyrethrum with chilli and garlic that i bought from bunnings, but it doesn't seem to work. i have black caterpillars that are eating through my silverbeat, and a little of my mint, that seems to be the only thing that is getting really destroyed, but my lettuce and rocket are coming up so i assume they will be next.

what can i use that is organic and stops these guys from destroying my silverbeat?

i also ahve green and brown grasshoppers, although they have pointy bodies rather than the normal roundish type body, do they eat the leaves as well?

bret

[David Corkill]

Rotenone can help against caterpillars. A product such as "Derris Dust" has rotenone as the active ingredient. There may be other powders with rotenone also.

Be careful. Although it is a natural plant-based poison, rotenone will kill worms and fish. Use sparingly.