Seasonal development
and life cycle—Diamondback moth
Adult diamondback moths lay their tiny eggs singly or, less commonly, in groups of two or three on the
undersides of leaves. The eggs are minute, scalelike, green white to yellow, and very difficult to spot.
Larvae feed mostly on the undersides of outer or older
leaves of older plants, chewing out small holes, or at the
growing points of younger plants. They reach maturity in
about 10to 14 days, depending on temperature, and then spin
loose white cocoons, which they attach to leaves or stems,
and pupate within them.
Although they may occur all year round, diamondback moths are often abundant in spring and early summer
and populations may rise again in fall. The pest has four to six generations a year.
|
Diamondback
moth pupa
|
