Orugas o gusanos
Cabbage caterpillar: what it is, how it originates, and how to eliminate it effectively
Cabbage Caterpillar
Pieris Brassicae
Pathogen:
Insect
Type:
Risk to the plant:
HIGH
DESCRIPTION
WHO CAUSES IT?
Pieris brassicae, known as the cabbage caterpillar, is a butterfly of the family Pieridae. Their life cycle begins with the female laying eggs on the underside of the leaves of the host plants. Each female can lay up to 200 eggs, which are yellow and elliptical in shape. After about 5-10 days, depending on the temperature, the eggs hatch and the larvae emerge. These caterpillars go through five larval stages, during which they feed voraciously on leaves. At the end of the larval stage, caterpillars look for a suitable place to pupate, usually on stems or nearby structures. Pupation lasts between one to two weeks, and finally the adult emerges, a white butterfly with black Taches on its wings, ready to start a new reproductive cycle. In temperate climates, Pieris brassicae can complete several generations per year, contributing to its ability to cause significant damage to cruciferous crops.
SYMPTOMS
In radish, the presence of the cabbage caterpillar causes a disease characterized by significant foliar damage. Caterpillars feed on leaves, causing holes and defoliated areas that can compromise photosynthesis and, therefore, the growth and development of the plant. Furthermore, the excretion of caterpillars on the leaves can favor the development of secondary infections by fungi and bacteria, aggravating the health status of the crop.
- Perforations in the leaves
- Extensive defoliated areas
- Decrease in plant vigor
- Presence of caterpillar droppings on the leaves
- Possibility of secondary infections
- Reduction in crop yield and quality.
TEMPERATURE AND HUMIDITY
15-25°C
60-80%
HOW IS IT SPREAD?
Wind, contact between plants, contaminated agricultural tools, clothing and work equipment, vector insects
HOW TO REMOVE IT?
Home remedies
There are no home treatments
Chemical treatments
• DELTAMETHRIN 1.57% [SC] P/V
• DELTAMETHRIN 2.5% [EC] P/V
• DELTAMETHRIN 2.5% [EW] P/V
• LAMBDA CYHALOTHRIN 10% [CS] P/V
Authorized treatments in organic farming
• LAMBDA CYHALOTHRIN 10% [CS] P/V
Insect allies
PREDATORY MITES
LADYBUGS
LACEWINGS
PARASITIC WASPS
HOVERFLIES OR PARASITIC FLIES
PREDATORY BUGS
There are no natural allies
Mycodiplosis oidii (predatory mosquito)
EFFECTIVE PRODUCTS TO ELIMINATE THIS DISEASE
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- Regularly monitor crops to early detect the presence of Pieris brassicae eggs and larvae.
- Introduce and encourage populations of natural enemies such as parasitoid wasps and insectivorous birds.
- Use physical barriers, such as protective nets, to prevent adult butterflies from accessing the plants.
- Apply treatments with biological insecticides such as Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) in a controlled manner.
- Implement crop rotations to interrupt the life cycle of the caterpillar.
- Manually remove caterpillars and eggs from plants, if the infestation is low.
- Maintain good hygiene in the field, eliminating plant debris and weeds that could serve as shelter for caterpillars.
- Avoid excessive use of chemical insecticides that can kill natural enemies.
- Apply neem oil or other natural repellents to discourage butterfly oviposition.
Recommendations
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