Pacific Pests, Pathogens & Weeds - Fact SheetsDiadegma species (285)
Relates to: Biocontrol
Common Name
Parasitic wasp
Scientific Name
Diadegma semiclausum, an ichneumonid (previously known as Diadegma euerophaga, Diadegma xylostellae, Angita cerophaga).
Distribution
Worldwide. Diadegma semiclausum is native to Europe, but has been introduced into many countries in Asia, Africa and Oceania. It is established in Australia and New Zealand but, it has not established in other Pacific islands, with the exception of the highlands of Papua New Guinea. The wasp has also been introduced into the highlands of India, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan, Thailand, and Vietnam. In tropical countries, it does not survive below about 800 m.
Prey
Diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella.
Symptoms & Life Cycle
Diadegma is most commonly found parasitising diamondback moth, although it has been reared from other species. It is a larval parasitoid, preferring to lay its eggs in small larvae, those that have just left their egg masses on Brassica leaves.
When the wasp approaches (Photos 1&2), the moth larvae may react with jerky movements, or drop from the leaf on silken threads to escape attack. Those that remain become the target of the wasp which quickly inserts a single egg into each larva (Photos 3&4). The larvae are parasitised once only as the wasp can tell if the diamondback moth larvae have already been attacked.
Parasitised moth larvae develop normally, and outwardly look the same as those that are unparasitised. However, when the moth develops a cocoon (Photo 5), the larva of the wasp makes its own cocoon inside and then develops into a pupa (Photo 6). After 8-10 days the adult emerges.
The life cycle of Diadegma is 18-20 days. The female wasp can live for about 25 days if a suitable sugar food is available. During that time it can lay many hundreds of eggs.
The parasitoid prefers temperatures in the range 15-25°C. Therefore, in tropical countries it is most abundant in the cooler highlands.
Impact
Diadegma is a very effective natural enemy of diamondback moth, and very high rates of parasitism (>90%) often occur, provided that broad-spectrum insecticides are not used.
Detection & inspection
Look for the small black wasps flying between brassica plants, often hovering near leaves damaged by diamonback moth larvae. Chemicals from the damage attracks them. Look for the wasps searching for diamondback moth larvae on the leaves. Look for Diadegma pupae which are formed inside the silken nets spun by the diamonback moths when they pupate. Diadegma pupae are oval-shaped, whereas those of diamondback moth are tapered at one end.
Management as Biocontrol Agents
DANGERS FROM USING PESTICIDES
Diadegma is very sensitive to broad-spectrum insecticides, such as pyrethroids and organophosphates. They should not be used if the wasp is active in the crop, otherwise they will kill the wasp and make control of diamonback moth difficult. Instead, if an insecticide is required, use Bt, Baccilus thuriengensis, or another selective insecticide. Together, Diadegma and Bt can form the basis of an effective IPM program for diamondback moth.
AUTHORS Mike Furlong and Grahame Jackson
Photos 1-6 Mike Furlong, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland.
Produced with support from the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research under project PC/2010/090: Strengthening integrated crop management research in the Pacific Islands in support of sustainable intensification of high-value crop production, implemented by the University of Queensland and the Secretariat of the Pacific Community.
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