Cabbage Lepidopterous Pests and Their Parasites in Southwestern Virginia

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Abstract
Lepidopterous pests of cabbage and their parasites in southwestern Virginia were investigated in 1981 and 1982 in a pesticide-free plot. The imported cabbageworm, Artogeia rapae (L.) (formerly in Pieris), peaked in mid-July and was the major pest. The cabbage looper, Trichoplusia ni (Hübner), which peaked in August and June in 1981 and 1982, respectively, was the second most important pest. Small numbers of diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella (L.), were present. A. rapae and T. ni had two to three generations per year. Of 14 parasite species recovered, 3 were common. Parasitization of A. rapae larvae by Cotesia glomeratus (L.) (formerly in Apanteles) averaged ca. 25% each year. Pteromalus puparum (L.) parasitized 70 and 32% of the A. rapae pupae during 1981 and 1982, respectively. Parasitization of T. ni larvae by Voria ruralis (Fallén) averaged 27% in 1981 and 17%in 1982.