Insecticide resistance and concomittant field failure to control the diamondback moth (DBM), Plutella xylostella were first recorded in 1968 in Punjab. Studies carried out in different states like Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, indicate that fenvalerate, quilnalphos and monocrotophos resistance are now ubiquitous in Plutella xylostella. In Tamil Nadu, the discriminating dose tec...

The aim of the study was to investigate the attractiveness to herbivores and parasitoids of two cultivars of Brassica oleracea L., namely, B. oleracea variety acephala (kale) and B. oleracea variety capitata (cabbage), that exhibit differences of morphological and biochemical traits. To this end, field samplings were replicated at seven localities in Galicia (northwestern Spain). Three speciali...

In the laboratory and in cages in the greenhouse, we evaluated the toxicity of two insecticides (lambda-cyhalothrin and spinosad) on the parasitoid,Diadegma insulare (Cresson), and the predator, Coleomegilla maculate (DeGeer), both natural enemies of the diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella (L.). Lambda-cyhalothrin was very toxic to both natural enemies. Spinosad was less toxic toC.maculata ad...

BACKGROUND In nature, insects have evolved behavioural and physiological adaptations to cope with short term exposure to extreme temperatures. Extreme heat events may increase as a result of climate change; this in turn will affect insect population dynamics. We examined the effect of abrupt and ecologically relevant gradual exposure to high temperatures on the survival and hsp70 gene expressio...

The pest status of diamondback moth (DBM), Plutella xylostella (L.) (Lepidoptera: Yponomeutidae), in South Africa is lower than in other countries with similar climates. A project was initiated to investigate possible reasons for this. Larval and pupal populations of DBM were monitored weekly for two years on unsprayed cabbage plots. Adult populations were also monitored continuously for two ye...

An Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Farmer Field School (FFS) is a field-based activity that lasts a full cropping season. A typical FFS meets once a week and 25-30 farmers participate in an FFS. In addition to group dynamics activity and a special topic session, an FFS emphasizes scientific learning through experimentation. Biological control is discussed and confirmed by carrying out insect z...