D3144: Biological insecticides in controlling diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae), on cabbage in South Florida

The diamondback moth (DBM, Plutella sylostella (L.) (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae), is the most destructive pest of brassicaceous vegetables csabines@ufl.eduaround the world. Insecticides are the most common tool for controlling this pest. However, due to overuse, it has developed resistance to various classes of insecticides. In the present study, we tested various conventional, biological, and biorational insecticides to control diamondback moth. Pyriproxifen, tolfenpyrad, and spinetoram alone or in rotation were the most effective in controlling DBM on cabbage in South Florida. Dipel and Xentari were comparable to conventional reduced-risk insecticides in controlling DBM. Spear-Lep + Leprotec in rotation with Radiant showed also promise in controlling DBM.