Department of Entomology, Himachal Pradesh Krishi Vishvavidyalaya, Palampur-176 062, H. P., (India).
The biology and parasitization of the diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella L. infesting cauliflower were investigated. The incubation, larval, and pupal periods were observed as 3–4, 5–7, 10–12 days, respectively. The adult Longevity was 4–5 days. Total life cycle ranged from 22–28 days during April-May, 1993 at 28.1°C (mean maximum temperature). Larvae collected from the field were parasitized by Diadegma fenestralis (Halmgrew), and extent of parasitization varied from 73.33 to 86.67%. The parasitoid, D. fenestralis, has been recorded for the first time from this area.
