Monitoring of Diamondback Moth (Lepidoptera: Yponomeutidae) in Cabbage With Pheromones

Studies were conducted in commercial and research cabbage fields during 1979–1980 to determine the potential of pheromone trapping for monitoring Plutella xylostello (L.) and determining subsequent larval population trends. Adult catches within fields indicated that seasonal trends were similar between traps on the border and those in the center, despite variation between trap counts. Differences between nearby plantings indicated that each field should be evaluated and treated independently. Peak flights for both seasons, as determined by pheromone catches, corresponded with those predicted by day degree accumulations. In 40% of the sampled fields for 1979–1980, adult catches correlated with subsequent larval populations which occurred 11 to 21 days later.