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The cabbage moth is a butterfly belonging to the sickle-winged moth family. It is one of the main pests of cruciferous crops. Distributed throughout the world. The insect causes the greatest harm in the steppes and forest-steppe regions.
What is dangerous cabbage moth
Butterflies themselves do not pose any danger to cabbage. Their oral apparatus is poorly developed, they practically do not feed. However, their numerous caterpillars can cause significant harm to wild and domesticated plants of the Cruciferous family, which include various types and varieties of cabbage. It is very difficult to predict mass outbreaks of insects, as well as the regions of their appearance. A photo of the cabbage moth is presented below:
A characteristic feature of butterflies are antennae, sometimes reaching 2/3 of the length of the wing.
In total, 3 or even 4 generations of the pest can form during the warm season. Due to their abundance, they can survive, despite the fact that they themselves are the food of several dozen species of animals – from birds and small mammals to insects and ticks.
Caterpillars a few days old feed on the underside of the leaf
According to agronomists in the CIS, caterpillars damage to varying degrees:
- early varieties of cabbage – from 15 to 17% of crops;
- medium – from 17 to 18%;
- late – from 32 to 47%;
- Rapeseed – from 19 to 60%.
Even for people who are not familiar with agriculture, it is clear that cabbage moth larvae cause significant damage to all cruciferous crops currently grown, so controlling it is an important task.
Signs of cabbage moth
Having hatched from the egg, the caterpillars of the cabbage moth penetrate into the pulp of the leaves, where they begin to gnaw through them winding passages (the so-called “mines”) several millimeters long. At this stage, it is almost impossible to detect the pest.
After 2 days, they have the first molt and after a few hours they begin to actively feed on the pulp, leaving only a thin skin from them. On the 4-5th day of life, they pierce it and go to the lower surface of the leaves. In rapeseed crops, caterpillars at this stage primarily damage the seeds.
At later dates, the caterpillars practically do not hide
Protective coloration protects them well from predators, so the population, despite the change in behavior, practically does not suffer.
Unlike whites that make relatively large holes, the cabbage moth leaves behind leaves that have multiple minor damage.
The vegetative part of the plant on the periphery is mainly eaten, but in some cases heads of cabbage can also be damaged. The total life time in the larval stage is about two weeks for the pest. Then the cabbage moth pupates, and after 7-10 days a butterfly emerges from the chrysalis, giving life to the next generation.
How to deal with cabbage moth
Despite the prevalence of the pest and its exceptional fertility, there are many effective methods of dealing with it. These include both the use of chemicals and folk remedies.
Measures to combat cabbage moth folk remedies
Folk methods of dealing with cabbage moths are very diverse and inventive. Below are the most popular.
Attract natural enemies
Wasps or ants fight insects most effectively. These arthropods are relatively easy to attract – just place them on the sweet spot or pour the soil with a sweetened solution.
Use of scents
Most insects smell great, not all of them are pleasant for arthropods. This feature is actively used. By planting crops near the cabbage that have a pungent or too strong odor, it is highly likely that cabbage moth butterflies will be driven away from the site.
Such plants include garlic or onions, potatoes, tomatoes, coriander, lovage, calendula.
The recommended distance from the beds with cabbage to the place where scare crops are planted is 1 m.
If there is no desire to plant plants, you can use various infusions. An effective remedy is a decoction of nightshade tops. To prepare it, you will need the following ingredients:
- 3 kg of tomato or potato tops;
- a few heads of onion or garlic (you can use onion peel);
- 1 red hot pepper;
- 50 g of soap.
The ingredients are mixed in a container with 10 liters of water and infused for a day. Then planting cabbage is sprayed with this mixture.
Another effective remedy is acetic acid. It is diluted in an amount of 30 ml in 10 liters of water and is also used for spraying.
Application of soda
Baking soda is mixed with flour in equal proportions and cabbage heads are sprinkled with the resulting powder. This method is considered one of the safest.
Using traps
The departure of cabbage moth butterflies occurs at night. At the same time, insects willingly fly to light sources. Traps are flashlights pointing down. At a distance of 10-15 cm from the light source, a saucer with vegetable oil is placed. The entire structure is placed on the ground or hung on a tree.
Cabbage moth butterflies, attracted by the light, fall into the oil and can no longer get out of it. During the night, one such trap can kill up to hundreds of insects.
Purchased pheromone traps against butterflies can destroy up to a dozen insects per day
Biological preparations against cabbage moth
Biological or bacterial insecticides are highly effective, but their effects have a certain time delay (from 4 to 12 hours). However, compared to chemicals, they are less harmful, since they usually act against some specific types of pests.
For cabbage moth, the use of Lepodocide, Bitoxbacilin, Dipel, Dendrobacilin will be effective.
The listed preparations are effective at settling plants with a pest from 10 to 25%.
Chemical insecticides against cabbage moth
Chemicals are another pest control option. Usually, larvae and adults of the cabbage moth die 1-2 hours after their application. Most drugs are based on pyrethroids, peritrins or cypermethrins. It is recommended to use such funds if the degree of damage by cabbage moth exceeds 10-20%.
The most popular drugs are Butizan, Triflutex, Decis.
With a significant number of insects, stronger insecticides should be used: Iskra, Sherpa, Inta-vir.
The use of chemical or biological preparations is undoubtedly the most effective way to deal with cabbage moths, but one should not forget about their harm to humans and beneficial insects.
Prevention of the appearance of cabbage moth
In any case, the fight against cabbage moth is a rather painstaking and costly task (both in time and money). Therefore, the best way to counter the pest is regular prevention. Below is a list of activities that will help to effectively resist the cabbage moth and prevent it from settling on most of the crops:
- Regular cleaning of the soil from plant residues (fallen leaves, branches, tops, weeds, etc.)
- Sheltering beds with agrofibre, fine mesh, spunbond and other similar materials to prevent butterflies from laying eggs.
- Planting along the perimeter of the planting and between the beds of “scare” crops: coriander, celery, parsley, lemon balm, etc. The aroma of these plants will reliably protect crops not only from cabbage moths, but also from many other uninvited guests.
- Installation of birdhouses and nest boxes on the site to attract birds.
- Regular inspection of Cruciferous leaves and the search for laid eggs on them, followed by destruction.
- Treatment of seeds before sowing with disinfectants. This measure is especially effective in the fight against cabbage moths on rapeseed.
- Mulching cabbage beds with odorous agents (for example, needles).
- Combining top dressing with preventive procedures (for example, using a natural insecticide in the form of wood ash).
All of these methods are quite simple and much less laborious than direct pest control using any means.
Sheltering beds with a net is one of the effective methods of protection.
Conclusion
Cabbage moth is one of the main pests of cruciferous vegetables. This small parasite is capable of producing up to four generations within a year. Small insect larvae can damage up to 50% of planted crops, significantly reducing the yield and presentation of vegetables. The fight against them is quite complicated and time-consuming, so it is recommended to carry out various preventive measures.
