Pests of Crucifers_Bionomics_and_IPM_Dr.UPR.pdf

Diamond back moth, Plutella xyllostella, Plutellidae, Lepidoptera
Damage symptoms
First instar larvae mine epidermal surface of leaves producing typical white patches
Second instar onwards feed externally making holes on the leaves
Heavy infestations leave little more than the leaf veins. 
ETL: 20 larvae/l0 plants
Yellowish, pinhead sized eggs are laid singly or in batches of 2-40 on the underside of leaves. A female may lay 18-356 eggs in her life time. Egg period 2 - 9 days.
8-12 mm long, pale yellowish green in color, pointed at both the ends with fine erect black hairs scattered over the body. Larval period 8 -16 days.
Management
Grow mustard as trap crop. Raise 2 rows of mustard for every 25 rows of cabbage. Sow first mustard crop 15 days prior to cabbage planting or plant 20 days old mustard seedling at the time of cabbage planting
Reduce insects colonising on mustard to prevent defoliation of the entire plant by applying dichlorovas 350 at 10 or 15 days interval starting from 15 days after sowing
Install pheromone trap for DBM adults
@ 5 /ha for monitoring and 25/ha for mass trapping

1. Pests of Crucifers
By
Dr. U. Pirithiraj, P.hD.
Assistant Professor (Entomology)
JSACAT
Affiliated to Tamil Nadu Agricultural University

2. Diamond back moth, Plutellaxyllostella, Plutellidae,
Lepidoptera
1
Dr. U. Pirithiraj, P.hD. (Entomology)
Distribution and status: World -wide
Damage symptoms
First instar larvae mine epidermal surface of
leaves producing typical white patches
Second instar onwards feed externally
making holes on the leaves
Heavy infestations leave little more than the
leaf veins.
ETL:20 larvae/l0 plants

3. Yellowish, pinhead sized eggs are laid singly
or in batches of 2-40 on the underside of
leaves. A female may lay 18-356 eggs in her
life time. Egg period 2 -9 days.
8-12 mm long, pale yellowish green in color,
pointed at both the ends with fine erect
black hairs scattered over the body. Larval
period 8 -16 days.
There are several generations in a yearDr. U. Pirithiraj, P.hD. (Entomology)

4. Small, greyish brown. Three pale whitish triangular
markings on hind margins of each forewing are
prominent. At rest, a dorsal median patch of three
diamond shapedyellowish white spots clearly visible
by joining both forewings. Hind wings have a fringe of
long hairs. Adult moth may live for about 20 days.
Pupa is a barrel shaped silken
cocoonwhich is open at both the
ends and is attached to the leaf
surface. Pupal period 4-5 days. Dr. U. Pirithiraj, P.hD. (Entomology)

5. Management
•Growmustardastrapcrop.Raise2rows
ofmustardforevery25rowsofcabbage.
Sowfirstmustardcrop15dayspriorto
cabbageplantingorplant20daysold
mustardseedlingatthetimeofcabbage
planting
•Reduceinsectscolonisingonmustardto
preventdefoliationoftheentireplantby
applyingdichlorovas350at10or15days
intervalstartingfrom15daysaftersowing
•InstallpheromonetrapforDBMadults
@5/haformonitoringand25/haformass
trapping
Dr. U. Pirithiraj, P.hD. (Entomology)

6. •ApplyBacillusthuringiensisformulation@1g/LorNSKE4%
spray.AlternateBt.serotypeskurstakiandaizawal
•Conservelarvalparasitoidsviz.,Cotesiaplutellaeinplains
andDiadegmasemiclausuminhills
•Release40,000adults/ac,fivetimes@8,000adults/release
commencingfrom20daysafterplanting.
•Also encourage otherparasitoidslikeApanteles
sicarius,Tetrastychussokolowski (larval)Diadrumus
collaris(larvalpupal)andBrachymeriaexcarinata(pupal
parasitoids)
Cotesia
plutellae
Diadegma
semiclausum
Apanteles
sicarius
Bt.
Dr. U. Pirithiraj, P.hD. (Entomology)

7. Azadirachtin0.03%2.5-5.0L,Lufenuron5.4EC600ml,Chlorantraniprole18.5SC50
ml,Indoxacarb14.5SC200-265ml,Chlorfenapyr10SC750-1000ml,Metaflumizone
22SC750-1000ml,Diafenthiuron50WP600g,Novaluron10EC750ml,Emamectin
benzoate5SG150-200g,Pyridalyl10EC500-750ml,Fipronil5SC800-1000ml,
Spinosad2.5SC600-700ml,Flufenoxuron10DC400,Thiodicarb75WP1.0-1.3g.
•Dependinguponthepestintensity,sprayanyofthefollowinginsecticidewith500-
1000Lwater/haprimordialorheadinitiationstage.Mixteepolorsandovit0.5ml/Lt
ofwaterwheneverspraysaremade
•Note:Primordialformationtakesplacebetween17and25daysafterplanting,
dependingonvariety.
Dr. U. Pirithiraj, P.hD. (Entomology)

8. Leaf webber,Crocidolomiabinotalis, Pyraustidae,
Lepidoptera
2
Dr. U. Pirithiraj, P.hD. (Entomology)
Distribution.Regular pest of minor status but occasionally reach serious proportions
Damagesymptoms
Younglarvafeedsgregariouslyonleaves,
laterwebstogethertheleavesandfeeds
Duetogregariousfeeding,rottingofcabbage
headsandcauliflowercurdsarecommon
Regularpestofminorstatusbutoccasionally
turntoseriousproportions

9. Larva with red head, brown longitudinal stripes and rows
of tubercles on body. Larval period 24-50 days.
40-100 eggs laid on leaf underside.
Egg period 5-15 days.
Dr. U. Pirithiraj, P.hD. (Entomology)

10. More than one generation may be completed in the season
Adult: Small pale brown with forewing having distinct wavy
lines and prominent wavy spots. Hind wings semi-hyaline.
Life cycle is completed in 43-82 days.
Pupates in soil, pupa is an
earthen cocoon. Pupal
period 14-40 days.
Dr. U. Pirithiraj, P.hD. (Entomology)

11. Management
Spray
Phosalone50 EC 1.0 L, Fenvalerate20 EC or Cypermethrin10 EC or Deltamethrin28 EC
250 ml, CartapHydrochloride 50 SP 500 ml, Spinosad45 SC 125 ml/ha or Azadirachtin
0.03% 2.5-5.0 L/ha.
Do not repeat the insecticides with similar mode of action.
The pest is regulated by two larval parasitoids viz., Microbraconmellusand Apanteles
crocidolomiae
Braconsp. Apantelessp.
Dr. U. Pirithiraj, P.hD. (Entomology)

12. Cabbage semilooper,Tircihoplusiani, Noctuidae,
Lepidoptera
3
Dr. U. Pirithiraj, P.hD. (Entomology)
Damagesymptoms
Caterpillarsstartscrappingandfeedingonthe
leavesinitiallyandlaterdefoliateentireplant
leavingmidribsandmainveins.Moredamage
isevidencedinnurseriesthaninmainfield.
Distribution and status: USA, India and Sri Lanka

13. Management
Hand pick and destroy caterpillars
Use light trap, Spray malathion 0.1 %
Eggs are greenish
white, spherical and
sculptured and are
laid singly on ventral
surface of leaves
Adults are stout moths. Head and thorax grey in colour,
while abdomen is white with basal tuft of hairs.
Pupation takes place in thin transparent
cocoons on ventral surface of leaves. Dr. U. Pirithiraj, P.hD. (Entomology)

14. Cabbage butterfly, Pierisbrassicae,Pieridae,
Lepidoptera
4
Dr. U. Pirithiraj, P.hD. (Entomology)
Distribution and status: Throughout India
Damagesymptoms
Theyounglarvafeedgregariouslybutthe
grown-upcaterpillarsmigratefromonefieldto
another
Thefirstinstarcaterpillarsjustscrapetheleaf
surface,whereasthesubsequentinstarseat
upleavesfromthemarginsinwards,leaving
intactthemainveins
Often,entireplantsareeatenup.

15. The butterflies are very active in
the field and lay, 164 yellowish
conical eggs in clusters of 50-90
on leaf. Egg period is 3-17 days.
Larva measures 40-50 mm in length. They pass
through five stages and are full-fed in 15-40
days. The larvae pupate at some distance from
the food plants, often in barns or on trees.
Dr. U. Pirithiraj, P.hD. (Entomology)

16. The butterflies live for 3-12 days and the pest breeds four times during October-April
The females have two conspicuous
black circular dots on the dorsal side
of each fore wing
Males are smaller than the females and
have black spots on the ventral side of
each fore wing
In adults, the wings are pale white, with a black patch on the apical angle of each fore wing and a
black spot on the costal margin of each hind wing.
Dr. U. Pirithiraj, P.hD. (Entomology)

17. Management
When in the gregarious stage, the caterpillars can be easily controlled by
picking and destroying the infested leaves.
The grown-up caterpillars should be controlled with malathion 5 per cent @
37.5 kg per ha or by spraying 1.25 L of endosulfan35 EC or 500 ml of
dichlorvos76 SC in 600-900 L of water per ha.
Conserve larval parasitoid Apantelesglomeratus(Braconidae) in the natural
populations.
Dr. U. Pirithiraj, P.hD. (Entomology)

18. Cabbage borer, Hellulaundalis, Pyraustidae,
Lepidoptera
5
Dr. U. Pirithiraj, P.hD. (Entomology)
Distribution and status: Worldwide, this is sporadic but occasionally serious
Damagesymptoms
Larvaabortsheadformation.Caterpillars
firstminetheleaveslaterfeedonleaves,
shootsshelteredwithinsilkenpassage
andfinallyboreintothestems.They
preventheadinitiationcausingmultiple
shootsorheads.

19. Adult: Pale greyish brown. Forewings
have grey wavy lines, a pale apical spot
and pale edged dark moon shaped
(lunule), hind wings pale dusky with
slight fuscous suffusion on apical area.
Life cycle is completed in 15-25 days.
Pearly white, Oval eggs
laid singly or in clusters
on leaf undersurface.
which turns pink next
day and later brown.
Egg period 2-3 days
Larva: Pale whitish-
brown in colourwith 4-5
purplish brown
longitudinal stripes.
Larval period 7-17 days.
Pupa is a cocoon.
Pupal period 6 days.
Dr. U. Pirithiraj, P.hD. (Entomology)

20. Mustard Aphid,Lipaphiserysimi, Aphididae,
Hemiptera
6
Dr. U. Pirithiraj, P.hD. (Entomology)
Symptoms of damage
Both nymphs and adults suck the sap from leaves
Plants remain stunted and sooty molds grow on the
honey dew excreted by the insects
The infected filed looks sickly and blighted in
appearance
Aphidsare small, soft-bodied, pearl-shaped insects that have a pair of cornicles(wax-secreting
tubes) projecting out from the fifth or sixth abdominal segment.
Found in both tropical and temperate areas throughout the world

21. Cabbage aphid, Brevicorynebrassicae, Aphididae,
Hemiptera
7
Dr. U. Pirithiraj, P.hD. (Entomology)
Damagesymptoms
Coloniesofaphidarefoundontendershootsandsuck
sapfromplanttissues.
Incaseofsevereinfestationplantsmaycompletelydry
upanddieaway.
Feedingdamageresultsincurlingandyellowing
leaves,stuntedplantgrowth,anddeformedheads.
Whitecastskinwillbepresentatthebaseoftheplant.

22. Management
Setupyellowstickytrap@10/ha
Sprayanyoneofthefollowing
Dimethoate30EC1000ml/ha
Methyldemeton25EC1000ml/ha
Monocrotophos36WSC625ml/ha
Neemoil2.0L/ha
Azadirachtin0.03%2.5-5.0L/ha
Aphidskiniscoveredwithwaxyfilamentsandforbetter
adherenceonaphidbody,addwettingagentinsprayfluid
Dr. U. Pirithiraj, P.hD. (Entomology)

23. Cabbage flea beetle, Phyllotretacruciferae,
Chrysomelidae, Coleoptera
8
Dr. U. Pirithiraj, P.hD. (Entomology)
Distribution and status: Europe, USSR, North and South America, Australia, japan and
India.
Damagesymptoms
Adultbeetlefeedsontheleavesby
makingroundshotholes.Thestem,
flowerandevenpodsmayalsobe
attacked.Decayingodourisemittedby
thecabbageplants.

24. Management Spray 2.5 kg of carbaryl50 WP in 750 litresof water/ha.
The female beetle lays 50-
80 creamy white eggs
singly in the soil around
the host plants. Egg
period 5 -10 days.
The larva is dirty white in colourand
5mm in length. LP-9-15 days.
Pupal period 2-4 days.
Adult beetle is metallic blue with
greenish hue. Beetle measures
1.8 -2.0 mm. There are 7-8
generations in a year.
Dr. U. Pirithiraj, P.hD. (Entomology)

25. Mustard saw fly,Athalialugensproxima,
Tenthredinidae, Lepidoptera
9
Dr. U. Pirithiraj, P.hD. (Entomology)
Tropical and subtropical areas of Africa, Asia and Australia
Symptoms of damage
Initially the larva nibbles leaves, later it feeds
from the margins towards the midrib.
The grubs cause numerous shot holes and even
riddled the entire leaves by voracious feeding.
They devour the epidermis of the shoot,
resulting in drying up of seedlings and failure to
bear seeds in older plants

26. Larva -Greenish black with wrinkled body
and has eight pairs of prolegs.
On touch the larva falls toground and
feigns death.
Adult -Head and thorax is black in colour.
Abdomen is orange colour.
Wings are translucent, smoky with black veins.
Dr. U. Pirithiraj, P.hD. (Entomology)

27. Management
Maintaincleancultivation.
Applyirrigationinseedlingstageisverycrucialforsawfly
managementbecausemostofthelarvaedieduetodrowning
effect.Severecoldreducespestload.
Collectionanddestructionofgrubsofsawflyinmorning
andevening
ConservePerilissuscingulator(larvalparasitoidsofthe
grubs),andthebacteriumSerratiamarcescenswhichinfect
thelarvaeofsawfly.
Useofbittergourdseedoilemulsionasantifeedant.
Dr. U. Pirithiraj, P.hD. (Entomology)

28. Painted bug, Bagradahilaris,
Pentatomidae, Hemiptera
10
Dr. U. Pirithiraj, P.hD. (Entomology)
Cutworms, Agrotisipsilon,
Noctuidae, Lepidoptera
11

29. Leaf miner,
Chromatomyiahorticola,
Agromyzidae, Diptera
12
Dr. U. Pirithiraj, P.hD. (Entomology)
Thrips, Thrips tabaci,
Caliothripsindicus,
Thripidae,Thysanoptera
13