Question:
Which of the following is a major pest of the early summer cauliflower ?
Which of the following is a major pest of the early summer cauliflower ?
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The Diamondback moth (Plutella xylostella) is the most notorious, insecticide-resistant pest of crucifers worldwide. It thrives and causes maximum devastation during the warm early summer months.
Updated On: Jul 23, 2026
- Diamond back moth
- Spodoptera litura
- Cabbage butterfly
- Aphid
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Verified By Collegedunia
The Correct Option is A
Solution and Explanation
Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
Cruciferous vegetables (such as cauliflower and cabbage) are attacked by several insect pests.
The severity and dominance of these pests vary significantly with the cropping season.
Warm and dry spring/early summer months favor the rapid multiplication of specific destructive pests.
Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
Let us analyze the major pests of cruciferous crops:
- Diamondback Moth (DBM - Plutella xylostella): This is globally the most destructive and economically damaging pest of crucifers.
The larvae feed on the undersides of leaves, leaving the upper epidermis intact, creating a characteristic "windowpane" effect.
During the warm, dry early summer season, the life cycle of DBM accelerates significantly.
It displays high reproductive rates and has developed widespread resistance to many chemical insecticides, making it the major limiting pest of early summer cauliflower.
- Cabbage Butterfly (Pieris brassicae): A major pest, but its populations are typically more active during the cooler winter months.
- Aphids (Brevicoryne brassicae): Sap-sucking insects that cause damage primarily in cool, humid winter conditions.
- Spodoptera litura (Tobacco caterpillar): A polyphagous pest that can attack cauliflower, but is not the specific primary limiting pest of early summer crucifers.
Therefore, the Diamondback moth is the most critical pest during early summer.
Step 3: Final Answer:
The major pest of early summer cauliflower is the Diamondback moth.
Cruciferous vegetables (such as cauliflower and cabbage) are attacked by several insect pests.
The severity and dominance of these pests vary significantly with the cropping season.
Warm and dry spring/early summer months favor the rapid multiplication of specific destructive pests.
Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
Let us analyze the major pests of cruciferous crops:
- Diamondback Moth (DBM - Plutella xylostella): This is globally the most destructive and economically damaging pest of crucifers.
The larvae feed on the undersides of leaves, leaving the upper epidermis intact, creating a characteristic "windowpane" effect.
During the warm, dry early summer season, the life cycle of DBM accelerates significantly.
It displays high reproductive rates and has developed widespread resistance to many chemical insecticides, making it the major limiting pest of early summer cauliflower.
- Cabbage Butterfly (Pieris brassicae): A major pest, but its populations are typically more active during the cooler winter months.
- Aphids (Brevicoryne brassicae): Sap-sucking insects that cause damage primarily in cool, humid winter conditions.
- Spodoptera litura (Tobacco caterpillar): A polyphagous pest that can attack cauliflower, but is not the specific primary limiting pest of early summer crucifers.
Therefore, the Diamondback moth is the most critical pest during early summer.
Step 3: Final Answer:
The major pest of early summer cauliflower is the Diamondback moth.
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