A semiochemical attract-and-kill formulation to manage diamondback moth (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae)

The diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella (L.), is one of the most destructive pests of cruciferous crops worldwide. This pest has gained notoriety due to its high dispersal ability, substantial number of generations per year, and high potential to develop resistance to various classes of insecticides. Current management practices for diamondback moth in cabbage rely heavily on chemical control. However, increasing resistance to insecticides and concerns about nontarget effects underscore the need for alternative pest management tools. The attractiveness of product code ISR: PLT-008A1, a semiochemical Specialized Pheromone and Lure Application Technology formulation, was evaluated against diamondback moths using a 4-choice olfactometer to present a choice to adult insects between untreated samples of cabbage leaves and samples treated with ISR: PLT-008A1. Diamondback moths chose cabbage discs treated with ISR: PLT-008A1 as their first choice compared to untreated cabbage samples. In the field, ISR: PLT-008A1 mixed with small quantities of different insecticides were evaluated against diamondback moth and beneficial insects. ISR: PLT-008A1 mixed with spinosad (Entrust), alone or combined with a single application of azadirachtin + pyrethrins (Azera), applied on the middle beds of the plots, reduced diamondback moth populations. Natural enemy populations also increased in these 2 treatments compared to other treatments. These findings confirm that ISR: PLT-008A1 effectively attracts diamondback moth and can be used to manage diamondback moth populations when combined with an insecticide. ISR: PLT-008A1 combined with reduced-risk insecticides (spinosad and azadirachtin) can be integrated into a cole crop integrated pest management program in both organic and conventional systems.