Testing and improving the effectiveness of trap crops for management of the diamondback moth Plutella xylostella (L.): a laboratory-based study

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to assess white mustard (Sinapis alba L.) as a trap crop for diamondback moth [Plutella xylostella (L.)] on cauliflower [Brassica oleracea (L.) var. Lateman]. Moth behaviour on these plants and the importance of plant age and size in maintaining pest preference...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Pest management science 2009-11, Vol.65 (11), p.1219-1227
Main Authors: George, David R, Collier, Rosemary, Port, Gordon
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Age
Animals
Brassica
Brassica oleracea
Brassica oleracea var. botrytis
Butterflies & moths
cauliflower
Crops
Crops, Agricultural - parasitology
Eggs
Female
Flowers & plants
Host plants
host preference
Host preferences
insect behavior
insect control
insect pests
IPM
Male
Moths - physiology
mustard
Mustard Plant - parasitology
ova
Oviposition
oviposition sites
Pest control
Pest Control - methods
Pests
plant age
plant pests
Plant protection
Plutella xylostella
Sinapis alba
Studies
trap crop
trap crops
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Summary:BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to assess white mustard (Sinapis alba L.) as a trap crop for diamondback moth [Plutella xylostella (L.)] on cauliflower [Brassica oleracea (L.) var. Lateman]. Moth behaviour on these plants and the importance of plant age and size in maintaining pest preference for trap crop plants were also investigated.RESULTS: Three times as many eggs were laid on cauliflower plants that were unprotected than on plants protected by a trap crop of white mustard. Moths remained longer on the mustard plants as a result of a doubling in the mean duration of information-providing behaviours. Plant age had little effect on P. xylostella host preference. When plant age was constant, percentage oviposition on mustard was higher when these were larger (93%) than copresented cauliflower plants, compared with when they were smaller (68%).CONCLUSION: Trap cropping with white mustard may reduce the incidence of P. xylostella in cauliflower crops. The pest management benefits of trap crops may be maximised by using trap crop plants that are larger than the main crop plants, although relatively smaller trap crop plants may still be preferred as hosts for P. xylostella per se.
ISSN:1526-498X
1526-4998
1526-4998
DOI:10.1002/ps.1813