First record of the occurrence of the diamondback moth on sour passion fruit

Abstract

Known as the diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella L. is registered as one of the most important pests of Brassicaceae in the world. It is characterized as a specialized insect in this family, due to specifics for feeding. However, based on reports from producers, the shoots of sour passion fruit in the extreme south of Santa Catarina, were damaged by a phytophagous insect attack. The damage plants were collected and from this, it was possible to identify the specie P. xylostella as the insect causing the damage. Therefore, the purpose is to communicate a new record of phytophagous insect associated with passion fruit, as well as a new host outside the list of Brassicaceae for P. xylostella. The collected shoots had amber exudation and sawdust appearance in the axils of leaf growth, the plants had wilted leaves and emission of lateral shoots. It is believed that the individuals have managed to complete the life cycle in the plant because of the similarity in the nitrogen compounds present in the species of Brassicaceae and Passifloraceae.