We compared different cultivars of crucifer in relation to reproductive capacity and preference for feeding and oviposition of the diamondback moth. The experiments were carried out with the following cultivars: Midori and Chato-de-Quintal cabbage, hybrids of cabbage Top Seed® - Agristar (TPC 308, TPC 681 and TPC 668), cauliflower Bola de Neve, broccolis Ramoso Piracicaba Precoce and collard green Manteiga da Geórgia, being this last one used as the susceptible control. Through the biological parameters of P. xylostella we elaborated a fertility life table, Comparing the cultivars in relation to the pest reproductive capacity. Four leaf parts were placed in diamondback moth rearing chambers, being two leaves of the treatment and two of the control which, put together formed a circle with 8 cm in diameter. The parts were disposed in an equidistantly form, to perform the dual-choice test (feeding and oviposition preference) and multiple-choice test, confronting all substrates (feeding preference). The cultivars that provided better development and reproduction for the diamondback moth were collard green Manteiga da Georgia and broccolis Ramoso Piracicaba Precoce. For feeding preference high susceptibility was verified in collard green Manteiga da Geórgia and TPC 681 and for oviposition preference high preference was observed for cauliflower Bola de Neve. Four different groups of cultivars could be formed: cabbage Midori as moderately resistant (MR); cauliflower Bola de Neve and cabbage Chato-de-Quintal as susceptible (S); broccolis, TPC 308, TPC 681 and TPC 668 as moderately susceptible (MS); and collard green as highly susceptible (HS).
Plutella xylostella; fertility life table; biology of insects; feeding preference; oviposition preference; agricultural entomology
