Diamond Back MothDiamond Back Moth (Plutella xylostella)
The diamond back moth is widespread in North America, but does commercial damage only in limited areas. The moth is approx. 8 mm long and the light-colored areas that show as anal margins of the fore wings fit together to form diamond-shaped spots. The females lay eggs on the underside of leaves. The larvae are generally around 12 mm in length and are pale green in color.
The larvae attack cabbage, collards, greenhouse plants, and some ornamentals, feeding on the underside of leaves first.
They can often devour everything but the leaf veins which is exceptionally detrimental to seedlings. They overwinter in the moth stage, hiding among the crop remains.
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