Effect of cultivar on oviposition preference of the cabbage moth, Mamestra brassicae L. (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

A. Ploomi¹, K. Jõgar¹, L. Metspalu¹, K. Hiiesaar¹, E. Švilponis¹, I. Kivimägi¹,N. Men'shykova¹, A. Luik¹, I. Sibul² and A. Kuusik¹

¹Institute of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, Estonian University of Life Sciences,Kreutzwaldi 1, Tartu 51014, Estonia; e-mail: angela.ploomi@emu.ee
²Institute of Forestry and Rural Engineering, Estonian University of Life Sciences,Kreutzwaldi 5, Tartu 51014, Estonia

Abstract:

The oviposition preference of the cabbage moth, Mamestra brassicae L. (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) was investigated on white cabbage cultivars under field conditions in two vegetation periods. Significantly less eggs were laid on cultivar ‘Golden Acre’. There were no differences in the number of eggs found on the cultivar ‘Lennox’, ‘Krautman’, ‘Krautkaiser’ and ‘Turquoise’. The cultivar ‘Parel’ showed different results during experimental period. The data on cabbage moth oviposition preferences can be used in sustainable plant protection strategies in organic farming.

Key words:

Mamestra brassicae, oviposition, white cabbage cultivars