An experiment was carried out at horticultural research centre marondera, zimbabwe during 201112 to determine the effect of allium sativum as a repellent crop to control diamondback moth dbm in. Diamondback moth insecticide resistance management in. In minnesota, action thresholds for diamondback moth in cabbage are. Diamondback moth in canola north dakota state university. They cause damage by chewing the vegetative parts of the crop leading to skeletonization or stunted growth by feeding on the growing points.
The diamondback moth plutella xylostella, sometimes called the cabbage moth, is a moth species of the family plutellidae and genus plutella. In many countries, the diamondback moth has become resistant to all synthetic insecticides used against it in the field and also to toxins from. Males have a row of three diamondshaped yellow spots visible where the wings meet when the insect is at rest. There are typically three to five generations of the diamondback moth per year in wisconsin.
The moths are genetically engineered for repressible female lethality and to express red fluorescence as a marker. When disturbed the larvae often fall from their host plants, hanging on by a thin silk thread. Optimum timing of insecticide applications against diamondback moth, plutella xylostella in cole crops using threshold catches in sex pheromone traps. Withdrawal of an ea for field release of ge diamondback moths. An article in the in the journal biomed central biology describes a new pesticidefree and environmentallyfriendly way to control diamondback moths plutella xylostella with a selflimiting gene. Lepidoptera, is the major destructive pest on cruciferous crops such as cauliflower, cabbage, and mustard, and causes significant economic losses to farmers. Plutellidae, were evaluated through a series of ovipositional preference and larval survival experiments in outdoor screenhouses in 2002 and 2003. Lloyd dosdall from the university of alberta discusses the life cycle of the diamondback moth, the role of beneficial insects and additional control measures. Diamondback moth infestations are most serious when they damage the crowns or growing points of young plants or brussels sprouts. Diamondback moth life cycle information sheet identification scientific name. Diamondback moth project tony shelton presentation duration. The diamondback moth is probably of european origin but is now found throughout the americas and in europe, southeast asia, australia, and new zealand.
Scout fields from early may and throughout the growing season. It is an important, occasional pest of canola in north dakota. Faculty of agriculture, university of east sarajevo. Male moths have three diamondshaped markings on the forewings when they are folded together, which is how it got its name left. Diamondback moth project at cornell university faq the. Sometimes diamondback moth caterpillars may also bore into heads of broccoli or cauliflower, or in the flower buds of stalks, causing economic injury and contamination. Scouting for and managing diamondback moth in canola, 2017. Release of egg parasitoid trichogramma chilonis at 0. It was first observed in north america in 1854, in illinois, but had spread to florida and the rocky mountains by 1883, and was reported from british columbia by 1905. Biology, ecology, and management of the diamondback moth. Newlyhatched caterpillars burrow into the foliage to feed but then come out onto the leaf surface as they grow larger and cause characteristic windowpane damage second image down. Starting in spring, the moths lay eggs that hatch into tiny green caterpillars with forked tails, often in large numbers. The diamondback moth is considered a global pest to agriculture, and is a particular threat to plants in the genus brassica, which includes cabbages, broccoli and cauliflower. Check plants carefully, even if no feeding damage is apparent, to look for eggs that will hatch into small caterpillars several days to a week later.
Its historical impact on the crop and predicted effects of climate change on its pest status. Cole crops are important group of winter vegetables consumed all over the world. Evaluating trap crops for diamondback moth, plutella. Sustainability free fulltext diamondback moth, plutella. Vandenberg2 1department of entomology, nysaescornell university, geneva, ny 14456 2usdaars, ithaca, ny 14853 abstract primary reliance on synthetic insecticides for control of diamondback moth has usually failed because. The diamondback moth is also called the cabbage moth, because it lays its eggs almost exclusively on cabbage family crops. The diamondback moth, plutella xylostella linnaeus, belongs to the order lepidoptera and family plutellidae. It is a relatively small moth so the eggs can be hard to find. Diamondback moth definition of diamondback moth by. The diamondback moth plutella xylostella, sometimes called the cabbage moth, is a moth.
The sixth international workshop on management of the diamondback moth and other crucifer insect pests r. Diamondback moth is a small, gray and brown moth that measures. The small, grayishbrown moth sometimes has a creamcolored band that forms a diamond along its back. In brassica vegetable crops, the percent infested threshold scouting. The diamondback moth, plutella xylostella l, in the order lepidoptera and the family plutellidae, is another important and very damaging pest of rape and other cruciferous crops in the southern africa region. Diamondback moth, plutella xylostella is one of the most destructive pests of cruciferous vegetables in the world and has been reported from at least 128 countries. Scouting for and managing diamondback moth in canola, 2017 tom a. The diamondback moth may have its origin in europe hardy, 1938 but on the basis of the large complex and sexual forms of its parasitoids and host plants found in south africa, kfir 1998 speculated that it originated in south africa and then dispersed to europe. Diamondback moth project at cornell university in 2015.
The diamondback moth plutella xylostella is a pest of brassica crops including oil seed rape. Populations of the diamondback moth routinely infest crops of canola and mustard in canada. Sometimes many thousands can appear during the night at coastal migration watchpoints. Plutella xylostella linnaeus the adult moth is a small greyish insect with a wingspan of about 7mm. Diamondback moth larvae feed on all plants in the brassicaceae family, mainly cabbage, kales and weeds in this family. When resting, the wings are folded over the body in a roof like position. Diamondback moth populations can quickly develop insecticide resistance. Plutellidae, is the most important insect pest of crops of the cabbage family throughout the world. A new pesticidefree way to control diamondback moths. Diamondback moth larvae chew small circular holes in leaves from the undersides, giving the leaves a shothole appearance. Scouting for beneficials brought to you by how to identify. The first instar larvae mine between the leaf surfaces. Pdf use of garlic allium sativum as a repellent crop.
If resistant populations develop, the number of chemical options to control them is. Diamondback moth paul rusnak is the senior managing online editor of florida grower, american vegetable grower, american fruit grower, and greenhouse grower magazines, all meister media worldwide brands. Thresholds for diamondback moth larvae are 100150 larvae per square meter in immature to flowering plants and 200300 larvae per square. The diamondback moth 277 parts, such as the roots of radishes and turnips, the stems of kohlrabi, the leaves of cabbage and other leafy brassicas, and the seeds of mustard and rape, which are consumed as fresh, cooked, or processed vegetables.
Diamondback moth dbm causes damage to cole crops in two ways. Compatibility of chemicals against diamondback moth. The dbm is an invasive species and is a serious pest of cabbages, kale, canola and other crucifer crops around the world. At rest the wings are held above the body and a line of yellowish diamond shaped markings become apparent hence the name. A diamondback moth perches on a cabbage leaf where its larvae have been at work. Consider recommended insecticide only when threshold of larvae 2030 per sq metre is reached.
Diamondback moth populations can build rapidly, and cause problems in canola when plants start to bloom. In 1953, the diamondback moth became the first crop pest in the world to develop resistance to ddt 7, 83, and now in many countries the diamondback moth has become resistant to every synthetic insecticide used against it in the field 174, 175. Where diamondback moth is the primary insect pest usually earlyyear, before cupping, treat with bacillus thuringiensis if 50% of plants are infested with five or more larvae each. This tiny moth is wellknown for its migratory tendencies.
Among several cole crops, cabbage brassica oleracea l. About diamondback moth adult moths are nocturnal, 8mm in length, greybrown, long and thin in shape with diamond markings on their backs. In addition, diamondback moths have the distinction. The diamondback moth, plutella xylostella lepidoptera.
Optimum timing of insecticide applications against diamondback. Identification and life cycleseasonal history moths are small, inch in length, graybrown colored insects with the folded wings flaring outward and upward toward their tips. The adult moth is small with a wingspan of about 15 mm. After cupping, treat if 10% of plants are infested with one or more larvae each. Terminal prolegs extend slightly backwards in a forklike fashion. They often migrate to this country in large numbers from.
Scout for diamondback moth by pulling plants from a 1square foot area, beet the collected plants into a white bucket and count larvae. They do not have the velvety skin texture of cabbage worms, which are a different pest. The diamondback moth, plutella xylostella, is a major agricultural pest and invasive species in new york state, as well as other states and countries. Royer, extension entomologist josh bushong, and heath sanders, osu area agronomists, have seen some heavy diamondback moth dbm infestations in canola. The immature stage, or larva, injures the leaves, buds, flowers and seed pods of canola. Collins avrdcworldvegetablecenter, apr 1, 2011 321 pages. Frequently asked questions about the diamondback moth project. The diamondback moth dbm plutella xylostella is the worlds worst insect pest of brassica crops cabbages, canola, broccoli, cauliflower, kale, etc. Its believed that the species may have originated in europe, south africa, or the mediterranean region, but it has now spread worldwide. The moths are small, about the length of two grains of rice, but females can lay upwards of 150 eggs during their lifetime and a.
The diamondback moth dbm, plutella xylostella linnaeus plutellidae. These white marks form diamondshaped patterns on the wings when they are at rest. It is about 8 mm long, slender with three pale triangular markings on the inner edge of each forewing that form a diamond pattern. Adult diamondback moths are small, 12 mm long, with an 1820 mm wingspan.
Affected flowers include sweet alyssum, stock, candytuft, wallflower, and other plants in the cruciferous family. The diamondback moth dbm, plutella xylostella, is a global economic pest of. Potential trap crops for the diamondback moth, plutella xylostella l. The cumulative counts from the traps can not predict what levels of larvae will be, but can be used to determine regions of the province where increased attention for diamondback moth is recommended when scouting fields.
The cost of its chemical control exceeds one billion us dollars annually. Diamondback moth is common throughout the country and is a common pest of brassicas the adult moths are small slender insects with a wingspan of about 10 mm. It now occurs throughout north america wherever its host plants are grown. It is important to remain vigilant in the control of diamondback moth and prevent insecticide resistance. The diamondback moth dbm is one of the most studied insect pests in the world, yet it is.
Take counts in at least 5 locations to get an average number of larvae per square foot. We do not currently have any researchbased economic. This tiny moth is stirring up the gmo debate in new york. Scouting for and managing diamondback moth in canola. This page provides dbm news and updates as well as basic information,scouting and monitoring techniques, and management options. Scout fields weekly throughout the season for damage. There are 3 major caterpillar pests of crucifer crops in ontario. Prospects for novel approaches towards management of the. They both asked about dbm management as our canola begins to bolt and treatment thresholds. Two or more generations occur between may and september, and the larvae feed on the leaves of certain types of vegetables as well as weeds. Royer and kris giles there are reports of diamondback moth infesting canola in several locations in southwest oklahoma and texas. Department of agricultures usda animal and plant health inspection service aphis announced the withdrawal of an environmental assessment ea associated with a permitted environmental release of ge diamondback moths.