Diadegma prefer to lay their eggs into very young moth larvae that have just left their protective mines in brassica leaves. Outwardly, a parasitized larva looks no different to an unparasitized larva. Once the grubs pupate, unparasitized hosts develop into moths within a day or two while parasitized hosts remain in the early pupal stage for 2 to 5 days. The developing wasp spins its silken cocoon inside the cocoon of the Diamondback Moth and emerges into another adult wasp a few days later.

Female Diadegma can lay up to 800 eggs in a 25-day lifetime if a suitable sugar source is available. In the absence of honey or nectar, adults will only survive 3 or 4 days. Our release containers incorporate a wick which you will need to soak in a honey solution before you hang them in the field. This will give the newly hatched wasps a readily available sugar source.

Certain pesticides and fungicides affect Diadegma so contact your local Biological Services consultant for specific advice.