Cabbage Moth

Mamestra brassicae

1. Identification

• Common name: Cabbage moth
• Scientific name: Mamestra brassicae L.
• Order: Lepidoptera
• Family: Noctuidae

2. Pest description

• Green to brownish caterpillars, robust, very voracious, that feed on the leaves.
• Adults of brownish coloration, with forewings marked by irregular patterns.
• It attacks above all cabbage crops and other brassicas.
• A species with high defoliation capacity and significant economic impact.

3. Main hosts

• Head cabbage.
• Cauliflower.
• Broccoli.
• Galician kale.
• Turnips and other brassicas.
• Occasional hosts: lettuce, spinach and beet.

4. Symptoms and damage

• Extensive perforations in the leaves.
• Complete consumption of the leaf blade in severe attacks.
• Damage to seedlings and young plants, which can cause death.
• Reduction of growth and commercial quality.
• Presence of excrement on the leaves and inside the head.

5. Biological cycle

• Two to three generations per year in temperate climates.
• Eggs laid in masses on the underside of the leaves.
• Caterpillars pass through several instars, feeding intensely.
• Pupation in the soil, in shallow chambers.
• Adults active from spring to autumn, with peaks in summer.

6. Monitoring

• Direct observation of caterpillars and foliar damage.
• Counting of egg masses on the underside of the leaves.
• Light traps for the detection of adults.
• Assessment of the percentage of affected plants and intensity of defoliation.

7. Management measures

• Cultural: destruction of crop remains, soil tillage to expose pupae and crop rotation.
• Preventive: use of anti-insect nets and promotion of initial vigour of the plants.
• Biological: application of Bacillus thuringiensis on young caterpillars and conservation of natural parasitoids.
• Integrated protection: regular monitoring, intervention thresholds and judicious application of authorised insecticides.

Bibliographic references

• EPPO Global Database – Mamestra brassicae.
• CABI Invasive Species Compendium – Mamestra brassicae.
• Carter, D. J. (1984). Pest Lepidoptera of Europe. Dr W. Junk Publishers.
• Hill, D. S. (1987). Agricultural Insect Pests of Temperate Regions and Their Control. Cambridge University Press.
• Hokkanen, H., et al. (1986). Population dynamics of Mamestra brassicae in crucifer crops. Annales Agriculturae Fenniae, 25, 1–12.
• Goulson, D., et al. (1998). Effects of parasitoids on Mamestra brassicae populations. Agricultural and Forest Entomology, 1, 17–24.