Impact of Some Pesticides on Diaeretiella rapae and Diadegma semiclausum in Cabbage Production

Document Type : Research Article

Author

• M. A. Samih

Department of Plant Protection, College of Agriculture, Vali-E-Asr University of Rafsanjan, Rafsanjan, Iran

10.22067/jpp.2025.87745.1184

Abstract

Introduction
The cabbage aphid, Brevicoryne brassicae (L.) is a pest of cruciferous plants, especially cabbage, occurring in various parts of the world. The aphids feed on many varieties of produce, including cabbage, broccoli (especially), Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, and many other members of the genus Brassica, but do not feed on plants outside of the Brassicaceae family. One of the control measures, which can be used for the cabbage aphid, is biological control. The aphid is attacked by the parasitoid Diaeretiella rapae (M’Intosh) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae, Aphidiidae) which tends to specialize on crucifer-feeding The Braconid wasp, D. rapae is a cosmopolitan parasitoid of many species of aphids,  especially the cabbage aphid, Brevicoryne brassicae. Diadegma semiclausum (Hellen) (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae) is one of the most important parasitoids of the diamondback moth (DBM.), Plutella xylostella (L.) (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae )  This Ichneumonid is a potentially useful biological control agent in integrated management programs of DBM. It  lays its eggs into the developing larvae of the DBM. This ichneumonid can be released in any brassica plantings where no harmful chemicals have been used.
 
Materials and Methods
Seeds of Chinese cabbage (Brassica rapa) were cultivated directly in a planting tries. After about 6 weeks, young cabbages were transferred individually from the tray to the 10×10×15 cm pots. For ease transfer of pots and better irrigation, each of the six pots was placed in a tray of the size indicated. All rearing was carried out at 23 ± 2°C and a photoperiod of 14 L:10 D. For the rearing of cabbage aphids, a distinct insectary space was considered under above condition. Cabbage aphid was reared on Chinese cabbage (Brassica rapa).  The DBM reared in a controlled experimental space in cage of 60cm.*60cm.*66cm. A pot containing young plants from 4 to 6 weeks old was used to prepare the primary colony of the pest. The pot were placed within the cage containing adults of DBM in South Australian Research and Development Institute (SARDI). Therefore, under normal conditions, there are always four pots containing adults that are laying on and a future rearing process proceeds, and in another cage there are larvae of old ages and to obtain adults. Given there. In this study, for the same age population of insect tested after 24 hours, the main mass of separation of contaminated specimens was carried out. In all experiments, the third generation was obtained from the main colony. D. rapae rearing in a controlled conditions in a cubic shape cage in 46 cm and surrounded by a net. Diadegma Parasitoid rearing in a controlled lab was made of cages 60×60×66h cm and surrounded by a net jar. In this research, three pesticides were selected based on the following table. We used the selected pesticides as recommened dosages and schedule using power tower.
 
Results and Discussion
The results showed that the effect of Monto pesticide was less than Confidor and Benoya pesticides. Also, the percentage of bees leaving mummified aphids is higher than the other two pesticides. But in this experiment, the effect of Monto on the parameters of the life table was greater than Confidor pesticide. These results show that the lasting and long-term effects of Monto poison can be considered. Two pesticides, Confidor and Monto, inhibit the growth of cabbage waxy aphid population, respectively, and their inhibitory effects on the parasitoid bee are less than Benoya. Therefore, it is considered as a safe margin for parasitoid bees. Application of Monto with parasitoid bees increased control efficiency. Compared to the control, Confidor pesticide had significant inhibitory effects on bee exit from pupation and it is considered as a non-target effect on diadigma. Benoya pesticide has also reduced the amount of bee departure compared to the control, but the advantage of this pesticide is that it controls the DBM population alone and there is no need to use the pesticide together with the parasitoid bee. The results of the research with a view to the above tests show that Confidor pesticide has an inhibitory effect on the parasitism activity of Diadegma bee and it has a non-target location and this parasitoid is safe compared to Monto pesticide. Monto pesticide is not effective for DBM pest control. The efficiency of cabbage waxy aphid control methods showed that the highest efficiency is related to Confidor and Benoya pesticides and the lowest is related to the use of parasitoid bees and the use of both Confidor and parasitoid bees. Since the use of Benoya and Confidor alone and together with the parasitoid does not have a significant difference; Therefore, additional use of parasitoid with these two poisons is not justified. But the use of Monto pesticide should be combined with parasitoid. And this composition is safe for nature.
 
 



 
 



 

Keywords

• Age-stage two-sex Fertilitytable
• Cabbage
• Diamondback moth
• Pesticide

Main Subjects

• pests

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©2025 The author(s). This is an open access article distributed under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC BY 4.0), which permits use, sharing, adaptation, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, as long as you give appropriate credit to the original author(s) and the source.

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