The Migration of Diamondback Moth

The adults of diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella L, are known to have been transoceanic migrants in Europe since ancient times. The insect, which has its origin in Asia Minor, spread to other parts of the world with the spread of the cultivation of its host, the crucifers, and by using its own migrational abilities over long distances. Several large scale transoceanic migrations have been reported in Europe. The moths are known to be able to migrate a distance of over 3000 km in continuous flight for several days. Finland and northwest Russia are the major sites of origin of the migratory moths. The insect also migrates from the United States to Canada. In the Orient, large scale migration has not been observed, but a few moths have been captured out over the East China Sea as far as 500 km away from any major landmass. In the Orient there is considerable variation in certain physiological characters of the moth between various geographical locations.