Vegetables & Forage Brassicas Pest Update – Late June 2020

First-generation cabbage root fly egg laying is still ongoing, with the cool wet weather prolonging the egg-laying period and subsequent hatching of grubs.

Diamondback moths, silver Y moths and cutworm moths have been found in traps in our monitored crops. Growers should check crops for eggs and young caterpillars and apply control measures where necessary.  Note that diamondback moths are capable of laying eggs through some types of mesh or if the mesh is damaged or stretched (as can cabbage root fly).  Diamondback moth caterpillars may well be resistant to pyrethroid insecticides.  Advice should be sought from your local agronomist or agricultural consultant.  Don’t forget to check product labels for specific crop approvals and also check for crop specific EAMU’s for these and other insecticides.