Ottawa (Dunrobin), ON Canada

6 August 2005   9:07PM EST  (left)
17 August 2005   9:16PM EST  (center and right)
The photos at center and right are of the same specimen.

My initial identification of this species was based on Covell (1984) and various Internet sources.  In addition, Dr. Jean-François Landry of Agriculture Canada was kind enough to confirm the identity of several captured specimens.

Plutella xylostella is one of two species of Plutella known to occur in the Ottawa area.  Also known as the Diamondback Moth, it has an irregular whitish band along the inner margin of the forewing which, when the wings are closed in the resting position, creates a series of approximate diamond shapes down the back of the moth.  The rest of the forewing is dark brownish gray in color.  Covell indicates a wingspan ranging from 1.2 to 1.5 cm.

According to Covell (1984), Plutella xylostella is "a minor pest" on cabbage and other plants in the mustard family, as well as candytuft and sweet alyssum.  Covell indicates this species was introduced from Europe prior to 1850.

My records to date for Plutella xylostella (each date representing "the night of") are in the table below: