Greater Cabbage Moth

Pests of Field Crops in Southern Africa

GREATER CABBAGE MOTH

(Lepidoptera: Pyralidae)

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Text Box: The dark green caterpillars of greater cabbage moth, Crocidolomia pavonana (= C. binotalis) are minor pests of cabbages, occurring mainly in the heart of the plant and associated with a considerable amount of loose webbing. The moth has variably patterned brownish forewings and pale creamy hindwings, and a wingspan of about 24 mm. TOP

Text Box: Most of the cruciferous vegetables are recorded hosts, as well as flowers of the same family, such as Alyssum, stocks and nasturtiums. TOP

Text Box: At first the caterpillars are gregarious and skeletonise the leaves. Later larger holes are eaten into the leaves. TOP

Text Box: Eggs are laid in batches of 40 –100 on the undersides of the leaves. In about a week they hatch, and the resulting caterpillars take three-to four weeks to complete their development in the summer, but longer in the winter. The final stage larva then leaves the plant to pupate shallowly in the soil. In summer the moth emerges about two weeks later. TOP

Text Box: Control measures are seldom necessary for this pest, although those recommended for diamond-backed moth would probably be very effective. TOP

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Greater Cabbage moth caterpillars.

Greater Cabbage moth later instar caterpillar.

Greater Cabbage moth.

Leaf damage by gregarious young caterpillars (above and left).

Caterpillars