Diamondback moth: Feeding preference among commercial varieties of head cabbage

Thirty-nine commercial varieties of head cabbage were evaluated for feeding preference of the diamondback moth (DBM), Plutella xylostella, at Kula, Hawaii, USA. Varieties were evaluated for density of caterpillars, extent of feeding damage and percentage of marketable heads. Twelve out of 39 (31%) varieties that showed the least DBM caterpillar damage and produced high percentage of marketable heads were: Golden Cross; Heads Up; Pacifica; Tropical Delight; Eastern Riches; Good Seasons; Fast Vantage; Stonehead; Genuine; Gourmet Y.R. 11646S; Scorpio; and Blue Thunder. These varieties were ranked with low caterpillar damage of 1.33 or less (0=no damage, 5=extensive damage) and produced 80% or more marketable heads. Nine of these 12 varieties also had fewer diamondback moth larvae and pupae (0.67) per head, while the other 3 varieties (Tropical Delight, Blue Thunder and Gourmet Y.R. 11646S) had 0.77 to 1.03 larvae and pupae per head.