The Use of Synthetic Herbivory-Induced Plant Volatiles That Attract Specialist Parasitoid Wasps, Cotesia vestalis, for Controlling the Incidence of Diamondback Moth Larvae in Open Agricultural Fields

We evaluated the effectiveness of using a blend volatiles that attract Cotesia vestalis , specialist parasitoid wasp diamondback moth (DBM) larvae, to control DBM larvae on cabbage plants under open field conditions. set three dispensers synthetic C. attractant together with one sugary-food feeder in plot (10 m × 1 m; treated plot) side pesticide-free agricultural (approximately 20 m) from June September 2010 and July August 2011. On other field, we created same size which neither nor was set. The incidences cocoons plots were compared. In 2010, incidence significantly lower than plot. Poisson regression analyses showed rate increase number along an higher 2011, both remained low (five per plant or less) no significant difference between plots. 2011 plot, irrespective larvae. This 2-year study suggested recruited native surrounding environment controlled when density exceeded economic injury levels for crop. also compared arthropods Pieris rapae Plusiinae spp. not affected by treatments. aphids inconsistent 2 years. Based these results, possible use attractants fields is discussed.