The diamondback moth can damage cruciferous plants by feeding and mining. Upon hatching, the first instar larva burrows into the cruciferous leaf and begins mining between the upper and lower leaf surfaces. The leaf mining injury to the plant normally is negligible unless extremely high populations occur. The later instars generally feed on the underside of leaves making small, irregular holes (windows) while leaving the upper leaf surface intact. Diamondback larvae may affect yield if feeding occurs in the heart leaves prior to heading. However, once the plant has headed, feeding is usually found on the outer frame leaves, which are discarded at harvest. Thus, larger larval populations are necessary at this stage to cause plant damage and necessitate control

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Index of Insect Pests

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