First records of three parasitic wasps of diamondback moth (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae) in Prince Edward Island

Noronha and Bahar discuss the first records of three parasitic wasps of diamondback moth (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae) in Prince Edward Island, Canada. Diamondback moth (DBM), Plutella xylostella L. (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae) is considered to be the most destructive insect pest of cruciferous crops globally, including canola, mustard and cole crops such as broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower and rutabaga. Larval samples were collected from eight locations and four different crops (mustard, cabbage, canola and rutabaga) during August and September in 2016. The number of enclosing moths and wasps was recorded. All eclosed wasps were identified using general morphological features such as body shape, color, wing venation, ovipositor, antennal segments, legs and abdomen. The identifications were confirmed by Dr. Jose Fernandez-Triana, National Identification Services, Canadian National Collection of Insects. Conservation of these natural enemies would fit well into an IPM program for DBM. The survey also revealed high DBM larval mortality due to unknown reasons.