Studies on diamondback moth in Venezuela with reference to other Latin American countries.

Abstract Diamondback moth is a serious pest of cruciferous crops throughout the world. The insect is also a very important pest in South America, especially in Venezuela. In Venezuela it attacks a wide range of crucifers including Brassica weeds. Under variable temperature (12 to 25°C) and relative humidity (45 to 96%) conditions, the mean duration of lifecycle in Venezuela was 76.14 days. One parasite, Diadegma sp, attacks diamondback moth larvae in Venezuela. Malathion and diazinon are widely recommended for the control of this insect. Besides Venezuela, diamondback moth also attacks crucifers in Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Jamaica, Peru, and Trinidad and Tobago