Biocontrol of diamondback moth Plutella xylostella L.(Lepidoptera: Plutellidae) larvae - A serious pest of cruciferous vegetables

Entomopathogenic bacteria xenorhabdus nematophila (enterobactriaceae) from steinernema carpocapsae (rhabditida: steinernematidae) and its toxic metabolites in broth and water suspensions were mixed in artificial diet and applied on chinese cabbage leaves to control the larvae of diamondback moth (dbm) plutella xylostella. all treatments were found effective but bacterial cells suspended in broth were slightly more lethal to dbm larvae. all the different dbm larval instars tested were susceptible to the lethal effects of the bacteria and their metabolites. higher mortality was found in artificial diet than on chinese cabbage leaves. dried cells and their metabolites were less effective in dry conditions as compared to high moisture conditions. fresh metabolites were found more effective as compared to stored metabolites when mixed in artificial diet than on chinese cabbage leaf foliage. their effectiveness degraded after few weeks in storage. these results suggest that dbm larvae can be controlled with bacterial cells or their toxic metabolites. the lethal potential of these bacteria can be integrated in integrated pest management programs (ipm) against diamondback moth larvae. © pakistan academy of sciences.