Diamondback Moth

The diamondback moth is a small moth characterized by its gray and brown coloration and a cream-colored band on its back in the shape of a diamond. It has a global distribution and is found in various regions worldwide. The moth’s body size is influenced by temperature, with warmer temperatures leading to smaller bodies and colder temperatures leading to larger bodies. The larger moths have better flight ability, longevity, and reproductive performance, which affects their migratory patterns.

Description

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This small moth is colored gray and brown. It can potentially identified by a cream-colored band that may be present in the shape of a diamond on its back. The diamondback moth has a wingspan of about 15 mm and a body length of 6 mm. The forewings are narrow, brownish gray and lighter along the anterior margin, with fine, dark speckles. A creamy-colored stripe with a wavy edge on the posterior margin is sometimes constricted to form one or more light-colored diamond shapes, which is the basis for the common name of this moth. The hindwings are narrow, pointed toward the apex, and light gray, with a wide fringe. The tips of the wings can be seen to turn upward slightly when viewed from the side. The antennae are pronounced.The adults of this species are visually identical to the adults of the New Zealand endemic moth Plutella antiphona.

Geographic range

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The diamondback moth has a global distribution and is found in Europe, Asia, Africa, the Americas, Australia, New Zealand, and the Hawaiian Islands. It is said by some experts to be the most widely distributed of all Lepidoptera, but despite tremendous interest in limiting the damage it causes, the actual available data is inadequate. It probably originated in Europe, South Africa, or the Mediterranean region, but the exact migration path is not known. However, in North America it was observed in Illinois in 1854, and then found in Florida and the Rocky Mountains by 1883. Although diamondback moths cannot overwinter effectively in cold climates, it was found in British Columbia by 1905 and is now present in several Canadian regions.

Climate effects

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Seasonal temperature changes lead to differences in body size of the diamondback moths. Warmer temperatures lead to smaller bodies whereas colder temperatures lead to the development of larger bodies. The larger moths have a greater flight ability, longevity, and reproductive performance when compared to the smaller moths. Therefore, long-distance migration tends to occur in the spring rather than midsummer as a greater number of large moths are available and capable of flying.

References

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Furlong, Michael J.; Wright, Denis J.; Dosdall, Lloyd M. (2013-01-07). “Diamondback Moth Ecology and Management: Problems, Progress, and Prospects”. Annual Review of Entomology. Annual Reviews. 58 (1): 517–541. doi:10.1146/annurev-ento-120811-153605. ISSN 0066-4170. PMID 23020617. S2CID 44687189. Furlong, Michael J.; Wright, Denis J.; Dosdall, Lloyd M. (2013-01-07). “Diamondback Moth Ecology and Management: Problems, Progress, and Prospects - Supplemental Material”. Annual Review of Entomology. Annual Reviews. 58 (1): 517–541. doi:10.1146/annurev-ento-120811-153605. ISSN 0066-4170. PMID 23020617.

External links

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diamondback moth on the UF / IFAS Featured Creatures Web site Plutella xylostella (Linnaeus, 1758) Diamond Back or Cabbage Moth Coffs Harbour Butterfly House, NSW, Australia. Updated January 2014 R. Srinivasan; Anthony M. Shelton; Hilda L. Collins (1 April 2011), The Sixth International Workshop on Management of the Diamondback Moth and Other Crucifer Insect Pests. AVRDC-WorldVegetableCenter. ISBN 978-92-9058-190-1 Download link