Diamond Back Moth

Catalogue Type

Plant Pests Catalogue

Scientific Name

Plutella xylostella

Family

Plutellidae

Distinguishing Characters

Diamondback moths are gray about one-third inch long, and have a wingspread of less than one inch.
The males have three light yellow diamond-shaped markings on their wings.
The moths move rapidly when disturbed. They fly short distances from plant to plant during the daytime.

Host Crop

Leaves of crucifers

Order

Lepidoptera

Photo of Insect

Photo of Damaged Crop

Description

The larvae feed on all parts of the plant but prefer places around the bud of a young plant,crevices between loose leaves of a firm head, and the undersides of wrapper leaves.

Larvae will often not eat completely through the leaf, leaving tiny "windows" of thin foliage.

Their feeding may disfigure the bud of a young plant so that the marketable portion will not develop properly.