Diamond-back Moth
Plutella xylostella
This record describes Plutella xylostella (species). Recorded family: Plutellidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Wingspan 13-15 mm. A distinctive moth with a diamond like pattern along the length of its back. In all types of habitat throughout the British Isles, becoming established under favourable conditions when occasionally reaching plague proportions on farms where cabbages are grown. Two or more generations occur between May and September. Larvae feed on the leaves of certain types of vegetables as well as weeds. Common immigrant from mainland Europe sometimes appearing in vast numbers. In the Butterfly Conservation’s Microlepidoptera Report 2011 this species was classified as a migrant.
Wikipedia reference for Plutella xylostella: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plutella xylostella.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Yponomeutoidea
- Family
- Plutellidae (Diamondback Moths)
- Genus
- Plutella
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
In all types of habitat throughout the British Isles, becoming established under favourable conditions when occasionally reaching plague proportions on farms where cabbages are grown.
Seasonal Activity
Two or more generations occur between May and September.
Diet and Behavior
Life History
Larvae feed on the leaves of certain types of vegetables as well as weeds.
Additional species information
Recorded status
Common immigrant from mainland Europe sometimes appearing in vast numbers. In the Butterfly Conservation’s Microlepidoptera Report 2011 this species was classified as a migrant.
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Plutella xylostella. Species-specific details appear above.
Group overview
Lepidoptera includes approximately 180,000 described species of butterflies and moths. Moths outnumber butterflies roughly 10:1. The monarch butterfly's eastern population has declined by more than 80% since the mid-1990s, and the western population by over 95% since the 1980s. The IUCN lists the migratory monarch as Vulnerable.
Ecological role of the group
Butterflies and moths are essential indicators of ecosystem health. As caterpillars, they are a primary food source for birds - a single nest of blue tit chicks requires ~10,000 caterpillars. Adult moths pollinate many night-blooming plants.
Economic and practical significance of the group
Lepidoptera are critical pollinators. In Europe, grassland butterfly species have declined by almost 50% since the early 1990s. In the UK, three-quarters of butterflies are in decline. In the U.S., five butterfly species have gone extinct since 1950, with 29 listed as endangered.
Recorded sources for this group: IUCN Red List, Xerces Society, USFWS, PNAS, WWF. Imported estimates may describe particular regions or reporting periods.
Photos of Diamond-back Moth (10)
Frequently Asked Questions About Diamond-back Moth
What is Diamond-back Moth?
Diamond-back Moth (Plutella xylostella) is a species in the family Plutellidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Diamond-back Moth?
of its back.
Where is Diamond-back Moth found?
Habitat: In all types of habitat throughout the British Isles, becoming established under favourable conditions when occasionally reaching plague proportions on farms where cabbages are grown.
When is Diamond-back Moth active?
Diamond-back Moth: seasonal activity - Two or more generations occur between May and September..
What is the life cycle of a Diamond-back Moth?
Larvae feed on the leaves of certain types of vegetables as well as weeds.