| Species: | |
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Plutella xylostella (Linnaeus) |
| Common Name: | |
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Cabbage moth |
| Damaging Stage: | |
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Larvae
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| Crops Afected: | |
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Crucifers/Brassicas
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| Characteristics Damage: | |
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Larvae feed on the surface of the leaves leaving the leaf epidermis intact creating a “feeding window” appearance.
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Feeding on growing points of the host plants leads to stunting and severe damage. |
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Larvae are also known to bore into the flower buds, stalks or heads of broccoli or cauliflower that greatly reduce the quality of the produce. |
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Produce webs that facilitate easier movement from one part to another. |
| Control and Management: | |
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Monitor the area regularly.
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Use of natural enemies like parasitoids Microplitis plutellae (Muesbeck) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae), Diadegma insulare (Cresson) (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae), andDiadromus subtilicornis (Gravenhorst) (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae). |
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Use of microbial insecticides like Bacillus thuringiensis to control insect population. |
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Use of natural enemies/parasitic wasps like Diadegma insulare (Cresson), Microplitis plutellae (Muesebeck) and Diadromus subtilicornis (Gravenhorst). |
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Spray insecticides like spinosad when necessary. |
| References: | |
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https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diamondback_moth http://entnemdept.ufl.edu/creatures/veg/leaf/diamondback_moth.htm http://www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/PMG/r108301311.html http://www1.agric.gov.ab.ca/$department/deptdocs.nsf/all/agdex2540 |
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