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Title: First Record of Diamondback Moth (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae) from Interior Alaska

Author
item Hagerty, Aaron
item Pantoja, Alberto
item Emmert, Susan

Submitted to: Western North American Naturalist
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 10/29/2007
Publication Date: 6/20/2008
Citation: Hagerty, A.M., Pantoja, A., Emmert, S.Y. 2008. First Record of Diamondback Moth (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae) from Interior Alaska. Western North American Naturalist. 68(2):249-250.

Interpretive Summary: The diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella, was detected during June and July of 2005 at 3 locations in interior Alaska. Diamondback moth is an economically significant pest of cruciferous crops throughout the world. Due to the importance of cruciferous crops in Alaska and the potential for economic damage, further research is needed to determine P. xylostella seasonality, population densities, and modes of entry into the state.

Technical Abstract: Populations of Plutella xylostella, the diamondback moth, and subsequent crop damage was detected during 2005 at three locations in interior Alaska (64°50’22N, 148°07’52W; 64°51’22N, 147°51’04W; 64°42’01N, 148°51’42W). This represents the first record of diamondback moth in interior Alaska. Due to the importance of cruciferous crops in Alaska and the potential for economic damage associated with the pest, further research is needed to determine P. xylostella seasonality, population densities, and modes of entry into the state.