Diamondback Moth (DBM)

A Persistent and Costly Pest

What is the Diamondback Moth?

The diamondback moth (Plutella xylostella), or DBM, is a globally distributed pest responsible for substantial economic damage in high-value brassica crops. With its small size and rapid lifecycle, DBM is capable of inflicting widespread foliar damage—reducing crop quality, marketable yield, and ultimately profitability.

Diamondback Moth Widespread and Adaptive

DBM is found wherever its host crops are cultivated. The adult moth lays eggs on the undersides of leaves, where larvae emerge and feed within days. Feeding results in the characteristic “windowing” damage that can render crops unmarketable. In warm conditions, multiple generations can emerge rapidly, creating sustained pest pressure throughout the growing season.

Compounding the issue is DBM’s well-documented ability to develop resistance to conventional insecticides. Growers often find that traditional control measures offer limited effectiveness, and overuse of a single mode of action only accelerates resistance development.

Natural Pest Management with Nemguard SC

Diamondback moth remains one of the most economically damaging insect pests in global crop production. As resistance issues grow and regulations on chemical pesticides tighten, natural alternatives like Nemguard SC are increasingly valuable components of sustainable pest management strategies.

Nemguard SC, our 99% garlic extract suspension concentrate, introduces new modes of action for DBM management.

Cytotoxic Action

Polysulphides in Nemguard SC disrupt cellular systems by reacting with low molecular weight thiols, leading to oxidative stress that proves fatal to the pest.

Repellent Effect

The product’s potent organosulphur compounds trigger avoidance behaviours in insects. DBM is deterred through both smell and taste, leading to reduced feeding and migration away from treated areas. 

Advantages of a Biopesticide-Based Approach

• Residue-free and suitable for growers working to meet strict MRL and export standards
• Unique mode of action helps reduce resistance pressure
• Flexible integration into IPM programmes and rotation strategies
• Environmentally responsible, made from natural garlic extract
• Protects crops sustainably