Impact of different plant extracts and insecticides on the biology of Pieris brassicae (Linn.) on cabbage - A review

Vegetables are the important source of proteins, carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals contributing a significant role in nutritionally balanced diet of predominantly vegetarian population of our country. Cabbage (Brassica oleracea var. capitata L.) is one of the most important winter vegetable in India. Its center of origin is Mediterranean. There are many insect pests on cole crops which includes cabbage white butterfly, Pieris brassicae (Linn.) (Lepidoptera: Pieridae), diamondback moth (DBM), Plutella xylostella (L.) (Lepidoptera: Yponomeutidae) and leaf webber. Among them cabbage white butterfly, Pieris brassicae (Linn.) is one of the most destructive pests causing damage at all the growing stages such as seedling, vegetative and flowering stage. The pest management strategy in India is mainly relying on chemical pesticides. Insecticide application against the larval stage of the P. brassicae is the primary method of control. In review El-Lakwah results investigating the effects of two plant extracts in acetone (Datura leaves and Black pepper, Piper nigrum seeds), botanical insecticide NeemAzal-T/S and organophosphorus insecticide, chlorpyrifos-methyl (alone or in combination with the three previously mentioned treatments at its half recommended rate) on cabbage-infesting insects (cabbage aphid Brevicoryne brassicae), cabbage butterfly (Pieris brassicae). Luik and Viidalepp investigated that the effect of NeemAzal-T/S (neem preparation) on cabbage butterfly (Pieris brassicae) larvae. Newly hatched larvae were fed with fresh cabbage leaves, and treated with 0.5 and 0.1% NeemAzal-T/S at the third-instar stage. NeemAzal-T/S exhibited a strong antifeedant activity against the third-instar larvae of P. brassicae. Such effect was found to be concentration-dependent and increased with increasing concentration of NeemAzal-T/S. Treatment with 0.1% NeemAzal-T/S resulted in 100% larval mortality during 4 days following treatment.