Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 3 Western Australia, Series 3
Volume 3
Number 2 March- April,1954 Article 6
3-1954
Insect pest - the cabbage moth Insect pest - the cabbage moth
C F.H Jenkins
Department of Agriculture
Follow this and additional works at: https://researchlibrary.agric.wa.gov.au/journal_agriculture3
Recommended Citation Recommended Citation
Jenkins, C F.H (1954) "Insect pest - the cabbage moth," Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 3: Vol. 3: No. 2, Article 6.
Available at: https://researchlibrary.agric.wa.gov.au/journal_agriculture3/vol3/iss2/6
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THE CABBAGE MOTH
(Plutella maculipennis Curt.)
T
HE cabbage moth, sometimes known as the diamond-back cabbage moth because of its markings, is well known to all cabbage and cauliflower growers. It may also infest other members of the cabbage family, such as turnips, brussels sprouts, stocks, etc.The m o t h is a n insignificant creature, measuring a little over half a n inch across t h e expanded wings, greyish brown in colour, with some lighter markings show- ing on the back when the wings are closed.
patches may be eaten away, leaving only the thin t r a n s p a r e n t upper leaf surface intact. This film is, of course, easily broken and a ragged hole is left as a result of the injury.
The full-grown caterpillars measure about iin. in length, are bright green in colour and show great activity if disturb- ed. When touched they will wriggle and squirm violently and often fall to t h e ground or let themselves drop from the leaf suspended by a silken thread.
Pig. 1.—Cabbage moth, side view (enlarged).
The greenish yellow eggs just visible to the naked eye are laid singly on the leaves, and soon h a t c h into tiny caterpillars.
With cabbages, it is the outer leaves of the young plants which are first attacked, but as the h e a r t commences to develop, the more tender leaves receive attention, and in the case of severe infestations the plants may be so badly riddled as to be rendered useless. When fully matured the caterpillars spin t h i n white silken cocoons, within which they pupate and remain attached to the under-surface of the leaf.
At first t h e young caterpillars burrow into the leaf a n d form tunnels in the plant tissue, but after a time they emerge from their burrows and commence feeding
on the lower leaf surface. Often large Fig. 2.—Cabbage motl 7ith wings extended to show pi ;ernlng.
161
Fig. 3.—Leaf of cabbage showing damage caused by caterpillars of the cabbage moth, with larvae and cocoons on the leaf (reduced).
DDT dusts or 0.1% DDT sprays give satisfactory r e - sults. Where aphides as well as caterpillars are attacking vegetables, a combined dust containing DDT and BHC
("Gammexane" or Benzene- hexachloride) is often fav- oured.
If arsenate of lead is pre- ferred for any reason by a grower a dust consisting of equal parts of arsenate of lead and slaked lime is recom- mended. When arsenate of lead sprays are used, the mix- ture should be applied at the r a t e of ioz. of powdered arsenate of lead or loz. of paste to 1 gallon of water.
The mixture must be kept thoroughly agitated while in use, as the arsenate of lead is not soluble and will gradually settle to t h e bottom. The addition of a proprietary spreader, or loz. of flour mix- ed to a paste, to every gallon of spray will increase its sticking properties.
LIFE CYCLE
The time required for this pest to de- velop from egg to adult varies consider- ably with t h e weather conditions. The eggs m a y take from a few days to over a week to h a t c h , while the caterpillars may t a k e a n y t h i n g from ten days to a m o n t h to p u p a t e . The pupal stage ranges from a little under a week to a fortnight or more.
F r o m t h i s it will be seen t h a t under fav- ourable conditions a generation of the cabbage moth could develop about every m o n t h .
CONTROL
A careful watch should be kept for the first signs of cabbage moth injury so t h a t early action can be taken against the pest. Seed-beds a n d young plants should receive routine t r e a t m e n t s to prevent a n y infestation becoming firmly establish- ed. DDT dusts a n d sprays have now largely supplanted arsenate of lead as a
control for many caterpillar pests and 2% p'g- 4.—Dusting cabbages using a wheelbarrow type of engine-driven duster.
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Treatments should be repeated about every ten days or a fortnight according to the severity of t h e infestation. But it can- not be too strongly emphasised t h a t one t r e a t m e n t given to check an incipient out- break is worth half a dozen given after the pest has gained a firm hold.
Cold, wet weather during the winter definitely retards t h e pest, but long dry periods during this season of the year should be a sign to the gardener to be on the watch.
WARNING
Dangerous insecticides such as DDT and arsenate of lead should not be applied to vegetables within six weeks of cutting. If thorough t r e a t m e n t s are given in the early stages, it is often possible to so reduce the pest t h a t the m a t u r e vegetables can be protected by other measures. Where later treatments are necessary, derris com- pounds should be used as these will not leave dangerous residues.
BIOLOGICAL CONTROL
Several species of wasps, some especially introduced for t h e purpose, are known to parasitise caterpillars of the cabbage moth and a t times large numbers are killed by these n a t u r a l enemies. At the present stage, however, their efficiency is not such t h a t growers could safely neglect normal insecticidal t r e a t m e n t s .
CULTURAL METHODS OF CONTROL All old infested plants should be destroy- ed and as far as possible seedlings should
not be planted close to areas previously laid down to closely related crops.
When cutting cabbages, etc., the whole plant should be pulled up so t h a t the butt is not left to act as a harbour for pests.
The destruction of weeds of all kinds should be carried out as a routine practice, no m a t t e r what pests it is desired to control.
Fig. 5.—Dusting cabbages with a knapsack duster.
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