Population dynamics of diamond back moth (Plutella xylostella L.) on five cauliflower cultivars

Abstract

In the present study, the population dynamics of diamond back moth (DBM) was monitored on five cauliflower cultivars over tin weeks under field conditions in Pakistan. The larval population of DBM on cultivar Snow Mystique was the minimum (0.27/leaf) on the first week and increased gradually till it reached to the maximum (1/leaf) on 7^th week. A decline in the population was observed after 7^th week. In case of cultivar Siria Fl, maximum population of one larva per leaf was recorded on 8^th week. The population was low during the first two weeks and remained high from 3^rd to 10^th week. The population of DBM on White Diamond during the ten weeks remained below 0.5/leaf. The maximum population was observed during the 3^rd week and remained more or less the same till the 10^th week. As far as White Castle cultivar is concerned, the population of the insect pest was found to be low during the first and last two weeks which reached to the maximum on the 8^th week. The population was found to be almost the same during 4^th to 7^th week. Except 7^th week during which the population was the maximum, the population of the pest remained below 0.5 larvae per leaf on cultivar Fd-4. The damage and population of DBM was high on Snow Mystique, Siria Fl and White Castle cultivars as compared to White Diamond and Fd-4 cultivars which showed minimum damage and population of DBM and suffered less damage and hence recommended for cultivation.