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.

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