Entomological evaluation of new hybrids resistance to cabbage lepidopteran pests
The use of crops varieties and hybrids resistant to pests is an important component of integrated pest plants protection. Cole crops are characterized by a specific pests adapted to eat these plants.The most harmful among Lepidoptera are cabbage looper, cabbage and turnip white butterfly, and cabbage moth. In recent years the injuriousness of cabbage moth has increased. The injuriousness of cabbage looper depends on the ability of lepidopterous larvas to survive up to 5th - 6th age (Popov Popov, 1994). During this period, the cabbage moth lepidopterous larvas penetrate into head of cabbage, pollute by its excrements that resulted in blight of cabbage head (the “wormy apple”). These so-called hidden losses depend also on the varietal characteristics. As for cabbage white butterfly, the yield losses of cole crops depend on the amount of lepidopterous larvas. The results of entomological assessment of the breeding material of cole crops are presented.