FALL BROCCOLI PESTS AND THEIR PARASITES IN VIRGINIA

The major pests of fall broccoli in south-central Virginia between 1985/87 were Trichoplusia ni (Hubner), Hellula rogatalis (Hulst), Plutella xylostella (L.), and Heliothis zea (Boddie); minor pests included Pieris rapae (L.), Evergestis rimosalis (Guenee), Spodoptera ornithogalli (Guenee), Pieris protodice Boisduval and LaConte and Plathypena scabra F. Seven species of parasites were recovered, the most abundant being Diadegma insularis (Cresson) which parasitized up to 37% of the diamondback moth larvae and Cotesia marginiventris (Cresson) which parasitized up to 20% of the corn earworms. The other parasites were found in very low numbers.