Cotesia

Cotesia vestalis; previously Cotesia plutellae. The wasp belongs to the family Braconidae.

Asia and South Asia, North (Hawaii) and South America (restricted), the Caribbean, Europe, Oceania. It has been introduced in Fiji and Papua New Guinea.

Diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella.

Cotesia vestalis is a larval parasite that attacks diamondback moth. The wasp usually lays one egg in small larvae (second larval stage preferred). The egg hatches, and the larva feeds inside its hosts. After 6-10 days - depending on temperature - and three moults, the fully grown Cotesia larva emerges, spins a silk cocoon around itself and pupates on the leaf near the dead or dying body of the diamondback moth larva (Photo 1). Five days later, the adult emerges, and lives for 2-3 weeks, depending on availability of nectar (Photos 2&3). During that time the female lays some 200 eggs.

Cotesia vestalis is an effective parasitoid against diamondback moth in the hot lowlands of the tropics and sub-tropics. In monetary terms its impact on diamondback moth, a pest estimated to cost the world economy US$4-5 billion annually, can be considerable. In most countries in Asia and the Pacific, Cotesia cannot manage populations of diamondback moth alone, but the wasp can make a significant contribution. Good control of diamondback moth is possible when Cotesia is present, and selective insecticides (such as Bt) are used.

Look for a wasp 2.5 mm long. Alternatively, look for its creamy-white cocoon which is more easily seen; it is 2-3.5 mm long, and attached to leaves of brassica crops.

DANGERS FROM USING PESTICIDES
Cotesia plutellae parasitsm rates of diamondback moth can be high, but they are variable. On its own the wasp cannot prevent damage to brassica crops, and so farmers use insecticides against the moth. The wasp is killed by broad-sectrum insecticides and the use of these chemicals should be avoided as in addition to killing the wasp their repeated use results in populations of diamondback moth with resistance to the product.

Resistant diamondback moth and destruction of its natural enemies (e.g., the parasitoid Diadegma in cooler regions, and predators such as spiders, lacewings and predatory beetles everywhere), results in serious crop damage.

In order to preserve Cotesia, an IPM - Integrated Pest Management Strategy - is used. Crops are monitored for signs of the pest, and Cotesia is preserved by using an insecticide made from bacteria called Bacillus thuringiensis, or Bt. This insecticide kills larvae of diamondback moth, especially young ones, but does relatively little harm to Cotesia.

However, continuous use of Bt can also result in the selection of populations of diamondback moth resistant to this insecticide. Therefore, Bt should be used only when required (when the number of caterpillars on plants is high enough to cause crop damage). It should be rotated with other insecticides which are effective against diamondback moth, but less harmful to the wasp.

Note, because Cotesia can attack and kill insecticide-resistant and insecticide-susceptible diamondback moth larvae, it can help prevent resistance to insecticides developing.