Life cycle of Diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella (L.) (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae), in Puerto Rico

Abstract

The life cycle of the diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella (L.), the worst pest of cabbage in Puerto Rico, was studied. Description of the stages, including measurements of the larva (body length and head capsule width), and duration of the stages are given. The average duration in days of the egg, larva, prepupa, pupa and adult was 3, 11.7 (4 instars), 1, 3.6 and 11.1, respectively. Larval length and head capsule width in mm for the 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th instar was 1.2, 2.1, 3.7, 7.0 and 0.15, 0.24, .40, 0.56, respectively.