MULTITROPHIC INTERACTIONS AND MANAGEMENT OF THE DIAMONDBACK MOTH - A REVIEW

The diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella Linnaeus (Yponomeutidae), re mains one of the most serious pests of crucifers in many parts of the world, particularly in South East Asia. This paper reviews the wide ar ray of strategies which have been used in attempts to control P. xylos tella over the last 40 years and consolidates the fragmented and somet imes hard-to-access literature on two and three level trophic interact ions (e.g. host plant-herbivore, herbivore-natural enemy and host plan t-herbivore-natural enemy interactions) involving the pest. Special re ference is made to studies and examples from South East Asia, and in p articular Malaysia, where P. xylostella and its primary parasitoids ha ve been well studied owing to the great economic significance of the p est in this region. It is suggested that a multitrophic approach to re search may assist in the development of more sustainable methods for t he management of P. xylostella and overcome some of the problems inher ent with insecticide-intensive methods.