Biological Invasion of Imported Cabbageworm, Pieris rapae (L.), on Oilseed Brassica in Punjab, India

Abstract

The infestation of imported cabbageworm/ small white butterfly, Pieris rapae (L.) (Lepidoptera: Pieridae) is reported on oilseed Brassica rapa ssp. oleifera, ecotype brown sarson cv. BSH 1 from Punjab, India. Though, it has been reported earlier on vegetable brassicas in India, there is no report of its infestation on oilseed brassica in this part of the country so far. A low infestation of 1.7-3.3 larvae per 10 plants was reported during first to third Standard Meteorological Week of 2014. Since this pest has potential to cause significant damage to oilseed brassica crops, therefore, timely reporting of this pest is important to avoid any future outbreak.