Plutella xylostella (Linnaeus)
Taxonomic position
Insecta: Lepidoptera: Yponomeutoidea: Plutellidae
Common names
Diamondback moth, cabbage moth
Habitat / Crop(s) damaged
Cruciferous crops like cabbage, cauliflower, mustard, kale, radish, turnip, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, collards, etc.

Symptoms include leaves showing papery mines initially; riddled with a lot of holes, skeletonised and soiled with excreta, the main veins remain untouched; presence of pale green, slender larvae which wriggle violently if touched and pupae in cocoons; small brown coloured adult moths with characteristic dorsal pattern, taking to wings when disturbed.
Pest status
A major and cosmopolitan pest of cruciferous crops.
Images
Plutella xylostella eggs Plutella xylostella larva larva larva larva Larva Plutella xylostella pupa pupa Plutella xylostella pupa Adult Plutella xylostella Adult Adult Adult Adult Plutella xylostella Plutella xylostella Adult Adult