Determine longevity of DBM adults on wild hosts during Brassicaceae-free periods
| Problem: | Diamondback moths are a major pest in Brassicaceae crops (cabbage, mustard, etc.). Adults are known to feed on a variety of plant species. However, little research has been conducted on the longevity of adults on wild hosts. Wild hosts available during reproductive host-free periods may give adults enough sustenance to “wait” until reproductive hosts can be found or to migrate to new reproductive host areas. Research in Brazil has shown that adults live longer on one species of Asteraceae than they do on cabbage. |
| Objective: | Determine longevity of DBM adults on wild hosts during Brassicaceae-free periods. |
| Approach: | Paralleling collaborative research in Brazil, field insects will be capture and used to set up a colony of DBM. Adults will be allowed to feed freely on various wild hosts, and the longevity of the adults will be determined for each taxon. |
Gretchen D. Jones