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University of Wisconsin Garden Facts

Diamondback Moth
Karen Delahaut, UW-Madison Fresh Market Vegetable Program
The diamondback moth (Plutella xylostella) is a lepidopteran insect and an important pest of
cole crops in Wisconsin. All cole crops, including cabbage, broccoli, Brussels sprouts,
cauliflower, and rutabaga,
are susceptible to attack
by this insect.
Appearance: The
diamondback moth is a
small, greyish-brown,
night-flying moth with a
one inch wingspan.
When at rest, the moth
holds its wings together,
roof-like, over its back.
When in this position, a
pattern of three diamond-
shaped spots can be
seen along the top of the
moth’s body. The small
caterpillars (up to 3∕8 inch
long at maturity) are
A diamondback moth larva and adult. pointed at both ends and
range in color from
cabbage green to yellow. When disturbed, larvae rapidly wiggle their bodies back and forth,
often causing them to fall off plants.
Symptoms and Effects: Diamondback moth larvae feed on cole crop leaves between
the large veins and midribs. They prefer to feed on the lower leaf surface, leaving the upper
epidermis intact thereby creating a “window-paning” effect. Severe feeding damage will
stunt cabbage and cauliflower heads. Larval damage to the developing buds on young
cabbages can cause heads to abort. Diamondback moth damage to root crops is generally
of little economic importance.
Life Cycle: The diamondback moth overwinters as an adult, and therefore is an early
season pest. However, cold winters increase mortality except in protected sites. In the
early spring, females lay eggs on weeds in the mustard family. The first instar larvae mine
between the leaf surfaces. After completing four larval stages they spin a white silk cocoon
on the lower portion of the plant. There are typically three to five generations of the
diamondback moth per year in Wisconsin.
Scouting Suggestions: Scout fields weekly throughout the season for damage.
Check plants carefully, even if no feeding damage is apparent, to look for eggs that will
hatch into small caterpillars several days to a week later. Examine the lower leaves of
plants for the larvae of each pest. Although feeding damage and fecal material are signs of
activity, it’s better to rely on larvae counts to determine the level of infestation. Caterpillars
cause varying amounts of damage depending on the maturity of the plant, so the need for
Revised
May 28, 2004
University of Wisconsin Garden Facts
treatment changes as the crop grows. Keep a record of the life stage and the percentage of
plants infested. This information will be useful for monitoring whether the population is
increasing or decreasing.
Treatment thresholds are well established and are based on the percent infestation by any
lepidopteran species and varies based on the stage of crop development. Cabbage,
broccoli, and cauliflower in the seed bed are particularly susceptible to damage and
therefore when 10% of the plants are infested with cabbage loopers, diamondback moths or
imported cabbageworms, control is warranted. For cabbage between transplant and
cupping, the economic threshold (ET) is raised to 30%. Once the plants have begun to cup,
until early heading, if greater than 20% of plants are infested, treatment is warranted. From
early heading until harvest, the threshold drops back to 10% to protect the market quality of
the produce. For broccoli and cauliflower between transplant and first flower or curd, the
threshold is increased to 50%. However once flowers or curds begin to develop, the
economic threshold drops back to 10% to maintain a high level of quality.
Control
Cultural: Effective integrated pest management (IPM) programs for imported cabbageworm
should be designed to prevent damage, encourage natural control, and avoid resistance.
The use of transplants that are free of larval contamination is a key step in avoiding
damage. Floating row covers can provide a physical barrier to imported diamondback
moths in small cole crop plantings. Natural controls are frequently quite effective in
preventing buildups of diamondback moth populations.
Chemical: Bacillus thuringiensis var Kurstaki or Aisawai applied to early instar larvae can
be very effective in controlling diamondback moths. Chemical insecticides can also be
effective in controlling caterpillar pests of cole crops. Refer to University of Wisconsin-
Extension publication A3422 “Commercial Vegetable Production in Wisconsin” for specific
insecticide recommendations. Target early instar larvae and insure good plant coverage to
improve efficacy when using insecticides. Use pest-specific insecticides in early to mid-
season when diamondback moths are prevalent so that natural enemies are conserved.
Resistance is a key concern with all lepidopteran pests on cole crops. Extensive resistance
to organophosphate, pyrethroid, and carbamate insecticides has been documented in the
diamondback moth. Resistant larvae are easily transported into Wisconsin on transplants.
Diamondback moth resistance to Bacillus thuringiensis has also been documented in parts
of the United States, but hasn’t been found in Wisconsin to date.

For more information on diamondback moth: See UW-Extension Bulletin

A3422, or contact your county Extension agent.

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Thanks to Jeff Wyman and Phil Pellitteri for reviewing this document.
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