Natural enemies of cabbage pests

Diamondback moth (DBM) and other pests of cabbages and other cruciferes have a number of natural enemies that help keep their populations under control. This page introduces a number of these natural enemies of cabbage pests.

Diamondback moth (DBM) larval parasitoids

The following pictures show some important larval parasitoids of the Diamond-back moth, which is probably the most serious pest of cabbage crops in the tropics.

Cotesia plutellae pupa and adult wasp
Cotesia plutellae pupa and adult wasp


Cotesia plutellae pupa and dead DBM larva
Cotesia plutellae pupa and dead DBM larva


Macromalon orientale male adult wasp
Macromalon orientale male adult wasp


Diadegma semiclausum female adult wasp
Diadegma semiclausum female adult wasp

Diamondback moth (DBM) pupal parasitoids

The next pictures show pupal parasitoids of Diamond-back moth.

Brachymeria excarinata (adult wasp) is a pupal parasitoid of DBM
Brachymeria excarinata (adult wasp) is a pupal parasitoid of DBM


Brachymeria excarinata adult wasp on DBM pupa
Brachymeria excarinata adult wasp on DBM pupa


Diadromus collaris adult male wasp
Diadromus collaris (adult male wasp), a pupal parasitoid of DBM


Diadromus collaris adult female wasp on DBM pupa
Diadromus collaris adult female wasp on DBM pupa


Diadromus collaris adult female wasp on DBM pupa
Diadromus collaris adult female wasp on DBM pupa

Natural enemies of other cabbage pests

The following pictures show natural enemies of a number of other cabbage pests such as Pieris spp. and aphids.

apantales-on-pieris-2

Cocoons (pupae) and adult of Apanteles sp. (parasitoid of Pieris sp.)
Cocoons (pupae) and adult of Apanteles sp. (parasitoid of Pieris sp.)


Larvae of Apanteles sp. (parasitoid) emerging from Pieris sp. larva
Larvae of Apanteles sp. (parasitoid) emerging from Pieris sp. larva


Vespid wasp attacking Pieris sp. caterpillar
Vespid wasp attacking Pieris sp. caterpillar


Typical damage caused by Spodoptera caterpillars
Typical damage caused by Spodoptera caterpillars, another pest of cabbage crops


Microplitis manilae larva (parasitoid of Spodoptera sp.)
Microplitis manilae larva (parasitoid of Spodoptera sp.)


Microplitis manilae pupa
Microplitis manilae pupa


Microplitis manilae adult wasp
Microplitis manilae adult wasp


Ladybird beetle feeding on aphids
Ladybird beetle feeding on aphids


Aphidius sp. (top of photo) is a parasitoid of aphids
Aphidius sp. (top of photo) is a parasitoid of aphids


Parasitized aphids are swollen and tan to gold in color
Parasitized aphids are swollen and tan to gold in color

Note:

  • D. semiclausum photo courtesy of Dr. B. M. Shepard.
  • All other photos on this page by Brent Rowell.
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