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Diamondback Moth (Plutella xylostella)

Diamondback Moth (Plutella xylostella) pheromone lure

Diamondback Moth (DBM) is a globally significant pest of cruciferous vegetables, particularly cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli, and mustard. The larvae feed on leaves, causing heavy defoliation, reduced head quality, and economic loss. DBM is notorious for developing resistance to chemical pesticides, making pheromone trap monitoring and IPM (Integrated Pest Management) the most reliable approach to sustainable control.

Host Crops:

  • Cabbage

  • Cauliflower

  • Broccoli

  • Mustard

  • Radish

  • Kale

  • Turnip

  • Other cruciferous crops (Brassicaceae family)

Damage Symptoms:

  • Irregular holes in leaves (window-paning effect)

  • Skeletonized leaves in severe infestation

  • Larvae seen actively feeding on underside of leaves

  • Small green caterpillars wriggling when disturbed

  • Stunted growth and poor head formation in cabbage/cauliflower

👉 Severe infestation can lead to 30–80% yield loss, especially in unsprayed or poorly managed fields.

Pest Lifecycle:

  1. Eggs laid on leaf surface in small clusters

  2. Larvae (caterpillars) feed on leaves for 7–10 days

  3. Pupation occurs on leaves or plant debris

  4. Adults are small, brownish-grey moths with diamond-shaped patterns on folded wings

🕒 The life cycle completes in 14–21 days depending on weather conditions. Multiple generations occur in a single season.

Monitoring & Control Using Pheromone Traps:

✅ Recommended Trap Type:

  • Delta Trap with sticky insert

  • Wota-T Trap (weather-resistant dry trap)

✅ Lure Type:

  • Plutella xylostella sex pheromone lure

✅ Trap Density:

  • 4–5 traps per acre for monitoring

  • Monitor weekly for population trends

  • Start trapping 15–20 days after transplanting

🟢 Early detection allows timely biocontrol or selective pesticide use, reducing unnecessary spraying.

Other IPM Strategies:

🌱 Cultural Control:

  • Rotate with non-cruciferous crops

  • Remove and destroy crop residues after harvest

  • Use pest-free seedlings

🐞 Biological Control:

  • Release Trichogramma chilonis (egg parasitoid)

  • Apply Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) sprays

  • Use neem-based bio-insecticides

⚠️ Chemical Control:

  • Apply only when pest population crosses Economic Threshold Level (ETL)

  • Use selective insecticides with mode-of-action rotation to delay resistance

  • Avoid indiscriminate pesticide use, especially in early crop stages

Why Use Pheromonetrap.in Traps for DBM Control?

  • Precision-targeted lures for Plutella xylostella

  • UV-stabilized and rain-resistant traps

  • Sticky inserts for accurate monitoring

  • Ideal for organic, GAP, and IPM-certified farms

  • Cost-effective and farmer-tested across India