[2][3] The moth has a short life cycle (14 days at 25 °C), is highly fecund, and is capable of migrating long distances.

[4] Diamondback moths are considered pests as they feed on the leaves of cruciferous crops and plants that produce glucosinolates.

Because of this, studies have suggested using wintercress as a trap crop around agricultural fields because diamondback moths are highly attracted to that plant but their larvae fail to survive when eggs are laid on it.

For this reason, new biological and chemical controls, as well as different planting methods, are being pursued to reduce the destruction caused by the moths.

A creamy-colored stripe with a wavy edge on the posterior margin[2] is sometimes constricted to form one or more light-colored diamond shapes, which is the basis for the common name of this moth.

[7] The diamondback moth has a global distribution and is found in Europe, Asia, Africa, the Americas, Australia, New Zealand, and the Hawaiian Islands.

[2] It is said by some experts to be the most widely distributed of all Lepidoptera, but despite tremendous interest in limiting the damage it causes, the actual available data is inadequate.

Although diamondback moths cannot overwinter effectively in cold climates, it was found in British Columbia by 1905 and is now present in several Canadian regions.

These include Several wild species in the family also act as hosts, especially early in the season when cultivated crops are unavailable.

The larvae are quite active, and when disturbed, may wriggle violently, move backward, and spin a strand of silk from which to dangle.

They are usually found on the lower or outer leaves of the food plant, but on cauliflower and broccoli, pupation may occur in the florets.

[1] Moths are active usually at twilight and at night, feeding on flowers of cruciferous plants, but they also fly in the afternoon during mass outbreaks.

Common enemies of the moth include the parasitoids Trichogramma chilonis and Cotesia plutella and the predator Chrysoperla carnea, a lacewing.

These organisms can recognize diamondback sex pheromones, larval frass odors, and green leaf volatiles emitted from cabbage.

Cabbage odors in combination with the sex pheromone are particularly capable of attracting the predators and parasitoids, which will then consume the diamondback larvae and eggs.

It is possible that high temperatures can decrease the concentration of sex pheromones released by female, thereby delaying the time for mating.

In some cases, females prefer multiple matings because it increases their lifespan as they receive nutrients from males during copulation.

Limiting broad spectrum insecticide use and particularly elimination of pyrethroid use, can increase survival and propagation of diamondback parasitoids, Microplitis plutellae, Diadegma insulare, and Diadromus subtilicornis.

[1] The diamondback moth was the first insect found to have become resistant to biological control by the Bt toxin (from Bacillus thuringiensis) in the field.

Bt toxin is poisonous when ingested by insects but not mammals, so it was used to target low infestation levels of the moth.

[11] Research has shown that the diamondback moth has an autosomal ressessive gene that provides resistance to four specific types of B. thuringiensis (Cry1Aa, Cry1Ab, Cry1Ac, and Cry1F).

[21] Trichoplusia ni (cabbage looper) is the only other insect to have developed resistance to Bt toxin in agricultural systems, specifically in greenhouses.

[11] The cultural practice of intercropping in China could serve to reduce the number of diamondback larvae on cruciferous plants.

[1] It has been suggested that sex pheromones and host odors could be manipulated to attract and trap diamondback moths as a means of chemical management.

Therefore, long-distance migration tends to occur in the spring rather than midsummer as a greater number of large moths are available and capable of flying.

It was concluded that only inter-cropping with the high-growing red clover could reduce the number of eggs produced by the diamondback moth.

In addition, maintaining clean cabbage field hygiene is a simple but important pest control and prevention measure.

[32] Field trials conducted by the UK biotechnology company Oxitec, released between 1,000 and 2,500 genetically modified males to a crop in New York state, during August and September 2017 on six occasions.

[33] The method of chemical control is to use pesticides to prevent damage to cabbage fields when larva populations exceed economic thresholds.

The pests are controlled during the germination period, and the crops ripen quickly, so the diamondback moth doesn't grow in large numbers.