Economic Benefits from the Use of Mass Trapping in the Management of Diamondback Moth, Plutella xylostella, in Central America

Abstract

The diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella (L.), is a worldwide pest of brassica crops, resistant to a large number of insecticides. As an alternative, the use of pheromone-baited traps has been proposed but farmers are yet to be convinced. In the present study, we aimed to validate the benefits of the use of pheromone-baited traps for monitoring and mass trapping in cabbage production in Central America as means of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) in comparison to calendarized insecticide sprays, which are the farmers’ current practices (FCP). Mass trapping was established in nine selected plots of cabbage in Costa Rica and Nicaragua. Average captures of males/trap/night, plant damage and net profits of these IPM plots were compared to simultaneously evaluated or historically reported FCP plots. The results indicate that in Costa Rica, trap captures did not justify the application of insecticides and average net profits increased by more than 11% when the trapping methods were implemented. In Nicaragua, IPM plots were able to reduce insecticide applications to one third of those in FCP plots. These results confirm the economic and environmental benefits of pheromone-based management of DBM in Central America.

Chemical Communication in Insects: New Advances in Integrated Pest Management Strategies

“…The diamondback moth (DBM) Plutella xylostella (L.) is a significant factor in the economics of Brassicaceae cropping, and it has been estimated that the annual worldwide cost to manage this pest is USD 4-5 billion. Following previous works implemented in 2020, González and coworkers demonstrate [3] that mass trapping using pheromone-baited traps in Costa Rican and Nicaraguan cabbage plantings led to a significant reduction in insecticide applications, generally increasing the yields, savings, and profits of the farmers. Overall, the yields of Costa Rican farms increased with concomitant lower insecticide costs and an increase in net profit of USD 1723/ha.…”