- Worldwide distribution. Common parasitising diamondback moth (DBM) in the hot lowland tropics and sub-tropics. Female lays 200 eggs, one in each young DBM caterpillars.
- Cotesia larvae eat DBM caterpillar from inside, emerges from the caterpillar and makes a cocoon on the brassica leaf. Look for white, oval pupa. The adult wasp (2-3.5 mm long) hatches after about 7 days and feeds on nectar.
- Cotesia cannot prevent damage by DBM alone. IPM programs avoid pyrethroids and organophosphates (these kill Cotesia and predators) and recommend use of Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis).
- Monitor and only use Bt when needed; rotate this with other insecticides to prevent resistance to Bt developing.
