Effect of different colored net-house conditions on life table parameters of the diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella L. (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae), on broccoli (Brassica oleracea L. var. italica)

The Diamondback moth (DBM) is one of the notorious pests of crucifers causing significant yield loss throughout the world. In order to understand how particular growing conditions for crops including selective colored protected cultivation may modify integrated pest management strategies, the main objective of this study was to evaluate the mortality and reproduction capabilities of DBM under different colored netting conditions, as well as the main life table parameters using the age-stage, two-sex life table technique. The results revealed that three developmental stages were slightly different among treatments, in which females reared under conventional white net house lived longer compared to females reared under semi-field and colored (magenta color pattern) net house. However, populations’ parameters did not change as result of different light conditions, with the exception of the mean generation time (T), which was higher under semi-field conditions compared to the conventional white net house. The obtained biological and ecological information under different colored net structures can be used as an ecological tool to formulate new strategies to control DBM. To our knowledge, this is the first study on effect of light spectrum on DBM biology and life table parameters while reared under different colored net conditions.