Life Table of the Diamondback Moth, Plutella xylostella (L.) (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae) on Five Cultivated Brassicaceous Host Plants

The development, survival, and reproduction of diamondback moth (DBM), Plutella xylostella (L.), were studied in laboratory at 25±1°C, 65±5% RH and a 14L: 10D hours photoperiodism on five host plants of: cauliflower (Brassica oleracea L. var. botrytis), two varieties of cabbage (B. oleracea L. var. capitata) namely ‘Globe Master’ and ‘Scarlet Ohara’, kohlrabi (B. oleracea L. var. gongylodes), and canola (B. napus L.). DBM larvae successfully survived on all host plants, although survival rate was lowest on canola (70.56%). The developmental time of immature stages ranged from 13.76±0.15 d on kohlrabi to 15.06±0.22 d on canola. The reproduction period and adult longevity were longest on cauliflower and common cabbage cultivar ‘Globe Master’ without any supplemental food while the highest fecundity of P. xylostella being also observed on these two host plants. The highest and lowest net reproductive rates were detected on cabbage cultivars, ‘Globe Master’ and 'Scarlet Ohara', respectively. Mean generation time was the longest on cabbage cultivar ‘Globe Master’. The respective descending order of intrinsic rates of population increase was on cauliflower, cabbage cultivar ‘Globe Master’, kohlrabi, cabbage cultivar ‘Scarlet Ohara’ and canola. Cauliflower and cabbage cultivar ‘Globe Master’ were recognized as the most suitable host plants for DBM.