Thats great your mom grows a bunch of plants. And I know what you mean when it comes to plants getting too hot. We get pretty intense summers here, and my sweet potato vine will wilt during the hottest of days. But is always comes back once the temps come down.
Hah yeah those damn caterpillars, well next year I have some plants on treating them with something so we shall see how it all plays out.
My mom has a very good hand with plants to tell you the truth, sometimes I am very surprised with what she manages to do in some simple pots that are not so big. Once she managed to stick a few "Cucumber" seeds in a simple pot and put it in the living room window, it was amazing to see the state of growth of that crop, but it was even more incredible when it began to bear fruit of small cucumbers, my mother surprises me with what she can do. At some point I will share with you some of her plants, right now I am in another city far away from her, but I hope to visit her soon =)
I just hope your caterpillar strategy works and your plants can be safe from them. Best of luck with that!!!