xylostella

Xylostella refers to Plutella xylostella, the diamondback moth, a small lepidopteran in the family Plutellidae. It is a globally distributed pest primarily affecting Brassicaceae crops such as cabbage, broccoli, kale, and cauliflower. The species is notorious for rapid population growth and resistance to many chemical insecticides, making it a focus of integrated pest management efforts.

Adults are slender moths with a wingspan of about 12–16 mm. The forewings are gray with two pairs of pale, diamond-shaped markings that give the insect its common name. Females lay small eggs, usually on the undersides of leaves. Newly hatched larvae are green with a darker head and progressively feed by mining and skeletonizing leaf tissue. After several molts, larvae drop to the soil or plant debris to pupate, often within a silken cocoon.

The life cycle length varies with temperature; warm regions can produce many generations per year, while temperate areas experience seasonal cycles with overwintering in sheltered locations. Adults are most active at dusk and dawn, contributing to rapid population expansion under favorable conditions.

Management relies on an integrated approach. Monitoring with pheromone traps helps time interventions. Biological control includes parasitoids such as Cotesia plutellae and microbial agents like Bacillus thuringiensis kurstaki and diamondback moth-specific granuloviruses. Chemical control requires rotation among modes of action to manage resistance. Cultural practices—removing crop residues, timely harvesting, and using resistant or tolerant varieties—also support suppression.