Efficacy of the Diamondback Moth Parasitoid Cotesia Pletellae and Farmers' Perceptions About the Pest

Abstract

The diamondback moth (DBM), Plutella xylostella (L), is the most destructive pest of cabbage and other cruciferous crop's world wide (Mitchel, Tingle, Navasero-Warde & Kehat, 1997). It is a holometabolous pest which survive as long as 50 days at low temperatures and as short as 15 days at high temperature (Hutchison, Bolin, & Hines, 1997). The main method of control practiced by farmers has been the use of synthetic insecticides. Due to over- dependence on chemicals, several pesticide related problems such as resistance development, hazards to non-target organism, environmental pollution, poisoning and residues in crops have surfaced and become serious (Lim, Loke, Chan & Syed, 1988). The alternative strategy to manage this pest would have to involve biological control as major component of the integrated pest management. The latter approach requires the study of this pest and its natural enemies.