Diamondback moth Host crops: Cabbages, Cauliflowers, Broccoli

Pest Identification: The adult is a small, slender, grayish-brown moth with pronounced antennae. It is about 6 mm long and marked with a broad cream or light brown band along the back. The band is sometimes constricted to form one or more light-colored diamonds on the back, which is the basis for the common name of this insect. When viewed from the side, the tips of the wings can be seen to turn upward slightly. Adult males and females live about 12 and 16 days, respectively, and females deposit eggs for about 10 days. The moths are weak fliers, usually flying within 2 m of the ground, and not flying long distances. However, they are readily carried by the wind.

Damage To Crop: Plant damage is caused by larval feeding. Although the larvae are very small, they can be quite numerous, resulting in the complete removal of foliar tissue except for the leaf veins. This is particularly damaging to seedlings and may disrupt head formation in cabbage, broccoli, and cauliflower. The presence of larvae in florets can result in complete rejection of produce, even if the level of plant tissue removal is insignificant.

Control Measures: The IPM strategy based on sex pheromone has reduced pesticide abuse. The sex pheromone confuses the male adult for mating and thus prevents fertilized egg production by trapping a significant number of male moths, which resulted in a reduction of larval and adult population build–up.

Plu-Ta Lures: Set up Delta trap with Plu-T Lures to monitor, attract and kill the male moths @ 12 nos./ha and change the septa once in 3 weeks.

Pheromone Lure Details:

• Dispenser - Vial.

• Material - U V Stabilized Plastic polymer

•Packaging - Individually Sachet Packed

•Sachet Material - Foil Lined Laminate

• Field Life Of Pheromone lure - 45 days