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A new pest management strategy: transforming a non‐host plant into a dead‐end trap crop for the diamondback moth Plutella xylostella L.
Author(s) -
Zhu JingYun,
Xiang ZhongWen,
Zhang ShiZe,
Kang ZhiWei,
Fan YongLiang,
Liu TongXian
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
pest management science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.296
H-Index - 125
eISSN - 1526-4998
pISSN - 1526-498X
DOI - 10.1002/ps.6126
Subject(s) - plutella , diamondback moth , biology , cruciferous vegetables , trap (plumbing) , pest analysis , trap crop , horticulture , plutellidae , agronomy , toxicology , larva , botany , genetics , cancer , environmental engineering , engineering
BACKGROUND The use of trap crops can reduce the egg production of female Plutella xylostella in cruciferous vegetables and is an effective method for controlling this pest. To date, most of the trap plants that have been studied are cruciferous plants containing high concentrations of glucosinolates, which are more attractive to P. xylostella female adults. However, the application of these trap plants also has some limitations. Studies have shown that aqueous extracts of cruciferous plants can attract P. xylostella to lay eggs. In this study, we utilized the extract of Chinese kale to treat a non‐host plant, the faba bean, and evaluated the possibility of using it as a dead‐end trap plant for P. xylostella control. RESULTS Plutella xylostella females laid significantly more eggs on faba beans that had been sprayed with the extract of Chinese kale rather than on Chinese kale itself. The first instar larvae of P. xylostella failed to survive on faba beans. Notably, the faba beans with the Chinese kale extract had the strongest attraction effect on P. xylostella females when placed 3 m away from the Chinese kale. Moreover, this attraction effect of faba beans on P. xylostella for oviposition lasted for up to 15 days. CONCLUSION Faba bean plants sprayed with the aqueous extract of Chinese kale represent a potential dead‐end trap plant for P. xylostella adults and their oviposition while being invariably deadly for their offspring. The present study provides a new proof of concept of using a non‐cruciferous trap plant for P. xylostella management.