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Plutella xylostella (L.) Diamondback Moth
The pest
Plutella xylostella adult
Cocoon of Plutella xylostella
Caterpillar devouring the bottom of a cabbage leaf
It is a pest that attacks almost exclusively cultivated and spontaneous cruciferous plants. The attacks are variable and sporadic, causing severe damage on the affected areas. . The number of generations ranges between five and ten depending on the weather.
Adults: have a wingspan of 14 mm, with long narrow wings. The forewing is externally brown and white in the inside margin. A sinuous line separates the two colors. When the insect is at rest, three clear-looking diamond areas appear on the back. This means that at rest and being together the two forewings show three clear-looking diamond areas on the back.
Eggs : are orange, elliptical, flattened, and with wavy protrudes. Eggs are laid in small groups on the underside of the leaves, near the midrib. Each female can lay 200 eggs.
Larvae: are whitish at first, becoming green later. If are touched they defended twisting violently and dropping to the ground hanged by a silken thread. Size from 8 to 12 mm.
Pupae : are found in a thin whitish silk cocoon through which you can see the chrysalis.
They feed on the leaves of cabbage, radish and broccoli. Caterpillars prefer to feed under the leaf and leaving the veins untouched. The injuries caused by this pest allow the entry of other pathogens (fungi, bacteria, etc.).
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Methods of control
DETECTION AND MONITORING
Using a monitoring device by "Wing Trap"
traps and
pheromones
with an insecticide, will allow to detect the presence of adults in each plot.
- Place 1 or 2 “Wing traps” per hectare of crop or for each monitored area. Must place the traps above the crop to manage good ventilation and take them up as the crop grows.
- Traps are controlled once a week to collect and note the number of insect catch. It is also necessary to check that traps are still well placed.
- Attractants must be renewed every 6 weeks.
Once detected the first catches is advisable to make a visual estimation by direct sampling in the plants, observing the leaves among other parts of the plant. Then it is recommended to contact with the technical staff of Pest Protection Service in the area, who will evaluate the situation on the ground and determine the measures to be taken in each case.
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PROTOCOL TO PROCEED
In case of attack or detection of infested crops by Plutella xylostella
- Do not make indiscriminate and aggressive treatments that may alter the biological balance of the crop area and its natural enemies.
- Treat initially with preventive products, and if necessary, with the specific products recommended by the technicians of Pest Protection Service.
- Don’t abuse of specific products against this pest, as it would no longer be effective.
- Do not remove the affected parts of the plant without taking steps to prevent its spread, so it is advisable to destroy it.
- Inform and take benefit of Pest Protection Service technicians’ help, in order to make the most appropriate actions in your plots.
- Use trap crops which are more attractive for the pest than the main crop. Those crops must be highly monitored and insects must be controlled before they infest the main crop.
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