Plutella xylostella
Pest description, crop damage and life history
See:
Common Pests of Vegetable Crops
Pest monitoring Natural enemies and insecticides applied to control other pests keep the diamondback moth under satisfactory control in most fields, but keep records of diamondback moths as you monitor for other caterpillars. Adult moths frequently migrate from fields being harvested or disked under.
Management-biological control
Natural enemies, including an ichneumid wasp and the egg parasite Trichogramma pretiosum, often effectively control diamondback moth in California. Therefore, take into account the level of parasitism when making control decisions. Clearly, Bt is much easier on the beneficial insects, and its use, when needed, helps conserve the beneficial insect complex.
Management-chemical control: HOME USE
- azadirachtin (neem oil)-Some formulations are OMRI-listed for organic use.
- bifenthrin
- cyfluthrin
- permethrin
- pyrethrins-Some formulations are OMRI-listed for organic use.
- spinosad-Some formulations are OMRI-listed for organic use.
- zeta-cypermethrin
Management-chemical control: COMMERCIAL USE
- azadirchtin (Neemix 4.5) 10 to 16 fl oz/100 gal. consult label for rates. REI 4 hr. PHI 0 day.
- Bacillus thuringiensis (Javelin) at 0.12 to 1.5 lb/a. PHI 0 days. REI 4 hr. Acts slowly; may need multiple applications. Add an appropriate spreader-sticker to enhance control. Most effective on small larvae. Some formulations are OMRI-listed for organic use.
- bifenthrin (Brigade 2EC) at 0.08 to 0.1 lb ai/a. PHI 21 days. REI 12 hr. Retreatment interval 7 days. Do not exceed 0.5 lb ai/a per season.
- GS-omega/kappa-Hxtx-Hv1a (Spear Lep) at 0.8 lb ai/a. PHI 0 days. REI 4 hr. Do not exceed 2 lb ai/a per year.
- malathion (Malathion 8) at 1.25 lb ai/a. PHI 7 days. REI 24 hr. Limit 3 treatments per year. Retreatment interval 7 days.
- permethrin (Loveland Permethrin) at 0.15 lb ai/a. PHI 30 days. REI 12 hr. Do not exceed three applications. Washington and Oregon only.