Oviposition by Plutella xylostella (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae) and effects of phylloplane waxiness

Three approaches were used to investigate effects of host plant epicuticular waxes on oviposition site selection by Plutella xylostella (L.). In the first approach, oviposition on canola (Brassica napus L.) that had epicuticular wax reduced by application of a carbamate herbicide (S-ethyl dipropylthiocarbamate) was compared with oviposition on untreated control plants. A second approach compared oviposition on sibling strains of B. napus with different wax blooms (glossy and waxy), and a third approach compared oviposition by P. xylostella on parafilm that had been applied to glossy and waxy B. napus strains for transfer of leaf components. Significantly more eggs were deposited on herbicide-treated plants (with reduced epicuticular wax) than on untreated controls. Similarly, more eggs were deposited on glossy than on waxy sibling strains of B. napus. In parafilm assays significantly more eggs were deposited on treated than on untreated parafilm. Several mechanisms could explain the differences in attractiveness of surfaces with varying wax content as oviposition sites for P. xylostella, including visual, chemical, and tactile differences between substrates. These mechanisms are discussed.     

小菜蛾幼虫对不同寄主的取食嗜好性及其适宜性

对不同寄主种类、不同寄主形态和不同寄主饲喂的小菜蛾(Plutella xylostella)幼虫之间的取食嗜好性比较试验表明,小菜蛾幼虫优先取食大白菜、萝卜或菜心幼苗,其次为油菜和甘蓝幼苗,在大白菜与油菜幼苗之间的取食选择比例是93.33%和6.67％;在甘蓝与菜心幼苗之间的取食选择比例是16.67%和83.33%.小菜蛾幼虫的取食嗜好性受饲喂寄主种类的影响,偏食大白菜或菜心幼苗.小菜蛾幼虫选择寄主取食的次序与寄主体内可溶性糖或淀粉含量没有明显关系,但与两者的相对量呈一定的负相关.取食大白菜或菜心幼苗的小菜蛾生长良好,单头取食达0.583～0.637 cm², 单头体重达2.07～2.18 mg, 与取食甘蓝或油菜幼苗的幼虫在取食量、个体发育方面有明显差异.小菜蛾幼虫也喜好取食已经被虫危害过的幼苗.     

Management of diamondback moth,Plutella xylostella (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae) by mating disruption

Abstract Field trials were conducted in China in 2008 and 2009 to evaluate the efficacy of mating disruption (MD) on diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella, in cabbage, Brassica oleracea var. capitata. Effectiveness was positively correlated with the MD dispenser density in the field. A density of 167 MD dispensers per ha produced an average population decrease of about 50% compared to the conventional‐practice field. Significant fewer males were captured in pheromone‐treated and conventional‐practice fields than in the blank control field, but the difference was not significant between the pheromone‐treated and conventional‐practice fields. In addition, fewer eggs and larvae were observed in pheromone‐treated fields. Our results suggest mating disruption coupled with minimal insecticidal supplements is a promising solution for resistance management and control of diamondback moth infestation.     

Isolation and characterization of Pseudomonas cedrina infecting Plutella xylostella (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae)

The diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella, is one of the most destructive pests worldwide and its management relies exclusively on frequent application of chemical insecticides. Resistance to common insecticides is now widespread, and novel classes of insecticides are needed. Entomopathogenic bacteria and their related products play an important role in the management of this pest. In the present work, one bacterial strain was separated from infected pupae of P. xylostella collected from field and its pathogenicity was evaluated. On the basis of the 16S ribosomal RNA sequencing, BLASTN, and phylogenetic analysis, this bacterial isolate was identified as Pseudomonas cedrina. Oral administration of P. cedrina at levels above 10,000 CFU/ml gave significant mortality to P. xylostella larvae. The pathogenicity was also observed by reduced longevity and fecundity in adult females. However, when live bacterial cells were removed, the cultured broth lost any pathogenicity. In response to the bacterial infection, P. xylostella expressed antimicrobial and stress‐associated genes. A mixture treatment of P. cedrina and Bacillus thuringiensis showed an additive effect on larval mortality of P. xylostella. These results indicated that P. cedrina is an opportunistic entomopathogen without secretion of toxins. Furthermore, the additive effect of P. cedrina and B. thuringiensis provide a new insight to develop new strategy for controlling P. xylostella.     

不同地理种群小菜蛾的遗传多样性分析

采用水平切片淀粉凝胶电泳方法,分析了北京、河北、云南和武汉4个不同地理种群的小菜蛾的等位酶,得到了3个酶系统（甘油醛磷酸脱氢酶（GPD）、苹果酸酶（ME）和苹果酸脱氢酶（MDH-1,MDH-2和MDH-3）5个基因位点的资料。用Biosys2.0软件计算了不同地理种群的遗传变异指标（N、A、P、H0和He）,结果表明小菜蛾各种群内的基因多样性大于各种种群间的基因多样性（约15倍）,武汉种群小菜蛾的遗传性最大。并计算了遗传距离D和相似性系数,并由此得出聚类图,分析了小菜蛾不同地理种群间的遗传关系。     

茚虫威和高效氯氰菊酯对小菜蛾的亚致死效应

【目的】通过研究茚虫威和高效氯氰菊酯两种杀虫剂对小菜蛾Plutella xylostella (L.)的亚致死效应, 进一步了解农药的杀虫机制, 同时为合理使用农药、 减少农药给环境和农业生产带来的一系列不良影响提供理论依据。【方法】浸叶法测定茚虫威和高效氯氰菊酯对小菜蛾2龄幼虫的毒力; 选择茚虫威的3个实验浓度（TI-LC₁₅, TI-LC₃₀和TI-LC₅₀）和高效氯氰菊酯的3个实验浓度（TB-LC₁₅, TB-LC₃₀和TB-LC₅₀）分别处理小菜蛾2龄幼虫48 h, 记录各虫态存活率和发育历期, 3龄、 4龄幼虫及蛹的重量, 并记录单雌产卵量和成虫寿命; 应用特征年龄 龄期及两性生命表方法, 研究不同处理组小菜蛾后代的生长发育、 存活率以及种群增长。【结果】TI-LC₃₀, TI-LC₅₀, TB-LC₁₅, TB-LC₃₀和TB-LC₅₀处理组各虫态发育历期比对照组显著延长（P<0.05）, 3龄、 4龄幼虫和蛹的重量以及单雌产卵量均显著低于对照组（P<0.05）, 但TI-LC₁₅组小菜蛾3龄和4龄幼虫发育历期均显著低于对照组（P<0.05）。TI-LC₃₀, TI-LC₅₀, TB-LC₃₀和TB LC50组小菜蛾后代的总产卵期显著短于相应对照组（P<0.05）, 产卵量也都显著降低（P<0.05）; TI和TB实验组小菜蛾后代种群内禀增长率r_m、 周限增长率λ、 净生殖率R₀以及总生殖率GRR都比对照显著降低（P<0.05）。【结论】低剂量的茚虫威和高效氯氰菊酯能显著抑制处理当代小菜蛾的生长发育和生殖, 并对其下一代的生长发育及种群增长也有明显的抑制。     

Evaluating trap crops for diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae)

Potential trap crops for the diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella (L.) (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae), were evaluated through a series of ovipositional preference and larval survival experiments in outdoor screenhouses in 2002 and 2003. Hosts examined as trap crops were glossy and waxy collards, Brassica oleracea L. variety acephala; Indian mustard, Brassica juncea (L.) Czern; and yellow rocket, Barbarea vulgaris (R. Br.) variety arcuata. More eggs were laid on the potential trap crops, with the exception of waxy collards, than on cabbage. When P. xylostella was offered multiple hosts at the same time, numbers of eggs laid on glossy collards, Indian mustard, and yellow rocket were 3, 18, and 12 times greater than on cabbage, respectively. Similarly, when P. xylostella was offered a single trap crop host and cabbage, numbers of eggs laid on glossy collards, Indian mustard, and yellow rocket were 300, 19, and 110 times greater than on cabbage, respectively. Our studies suggest differences in oviposition between the potential trap crops and cabbage were likely due to host volatiles, leaf morphology and color, or a combination of these factors, rather than to total leaf areas, leaf shape, or plant architecture. Two-choice tests with a Y-tube olfactometer indicated that plant volatiles were major factors in P. xylostella host preference. The percentage larval survival from egg to pupation was 22.2% on cabbage, 18.9% on waxy collards, and 24.4% on Indian mustard, whereas survival was significantly lower on glossy collards (6.7%) and yellow rocket (0%). Based on our tests, it seems that yellow rocket may be the best candidate for use as a trap crop for P. xylostella because it is highly attractive for oviposition, but larvae do not survive on it.     

Nickel hyperaccumulation by Streptanthus polygaloides protects against the folivore Plutella xylostella (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae)

We determined the effectiveness of Ni as an elemental defence of Streptanthus polygaloides (Brassicaceae) against a crucifer specialist folivore, diamondback moth (DBM), Plutella xylostella. An oviposition experiment used arrays of S. polygaloides grown on Ni-amended (high-Ni) soil interspersed with plants grown on unamended (low-Ni) soil and eggs were allowed to hatch and larvae fed freely among plants in the arrays. We also explored oviposition preference by allowing moths to oviposit on foil sheets coated with high- or low-Ni plant extract. This was followed by an experiment using low-Ni plant extract to which varying amounts of Ni had been added and an experiment using sheets coated with sinigrin (allyl glucosinolate) as an oviposition stimulant. Diamondback moths laid 2.5-fold more eggs on low-Ni plants than on high-Ni plants and larval feeding was greater on low-Ni plants. High-Ni plants grew twice as tall, produced more leaves, and produced almost 3.5-fold more flowers. Low-Ni plants contained more allyl glucosinolate than high-Ni plants and moths preferred to oviposit on foil sheets dipped in low-Ni plant extract. Moths showed no preference when Ni concentration of low-Ni extract was varied and overwhelmingly preferred sinigrin coated sheets. We conclude that Ni hyperaccumulation is an effective elemental defence against this herbivore, increasing plant fitness through a combination of toxicity to DBM larvae and decreased oviposition by adults.     

羧酸酯酶介导的小菜蛾对氟虫腈的抗性

【目的】羧酸酯酶（carboxylesterases, CarEs）是昆虫重要的解毒代谢酶之一,可以介导靶标昆虫对多种杀虫剂的代谢抗性。本研究检测了羧酸酯酶对小菜蛾Plutella xylostella 抗药性的介导功能,旨在阐明羧酸酯酶在小菜蛾代谢解毒中的生理生化和分子机理。【方法】采用点滴法测定氟虫腈对小菜蛾敏感种群和抗氟虫腈种群的毒力,以及羧酸酯酶抑制剂磷酸三苯酯（triphenyl phosphate, TPP）对氟虫腈的增效作用;以LC₃₀和LC₅₀浓度的氟虫腈处理抗性小菜蛾,测定药剂处理后CarEs酶活性的变化;利用qRT-PCR技术分析Pxae22和Pxae31两个基因在小菜蛾不同发育阶段、组织和种群的表达模式;利用dsRNA干扰Pxae22和Pxae31后观察基因的表达变化和小菜蛾3龄幼虫对药剂敏感性的变化。【结果】TPP可以削弱小菜蛾3龄幼虫对氟虫腈的抗性,增效倍数约为6倍;使用较低剂量（LC₃₀和LC₅₀）氟虫腈处理小菜蛾3龄幼虫后,处理组CarEs比活力明显高于对照,提示氟虫腈对小菜蛾CarEs活性具有诱导作用。对羧酸酯酶基因Pxae22和Pxae31在小菜蛾不同发育阶段、4龄幼虫不同组织和不同种群3龄幼虫中的表达模式分析发现,这两个基因在小菜蛾4龄幼虫中的表达量最高;在4龄幼虫中以中肠组织中的表达量较高,头、表皮、脂肪体中的表达量很低; 抗性种群中的表达量显著高于敏感种群。通过干扰 Pxae22和 Pxae31后的qRT-PCR验证,两个基因的表达量均显著降低,进一步的氟虫腈毒力测定发现,干扰P xae22和 Pxae31后的小菜蛾3龄幼虫对氟虫腈的敏感性分别增加了1.63倍和1.73倍。【结论】羧酸酯酶在小菜蛾对氟虫腈解毒代谢中具有重要作用;Pxae22和Pxae31是小菜蛾的两个抗性相关基因,其表达水平的变化直接影响小菜蛾对氟虫腈的敏感性。     

小菜蛾抑制性谷氨酸受体的RNA干扰

谷氨酸门控的氯离子通道（glutamate-gated chloride channels, GluCls）或抑制性谷氨酸受体（inhibitory glutamate receptor, IGluR）是阿维菌素类药剂（avermectins）主要的作用靶标, 目前人们对于昆虫的IGluR知之甚少。本实验采用RNA干扰（RNAi）技术对小菜蛾Plutella xylostella IGluR的功能进行了初步研究。结果表明： 小菜蛾2龄和3龄幼虫中双链RNA（dsRNA）的最佳注射量分别为50.6 nL和71.3 nL。实时荧光定量（quantitative real-time PCR, qRT-PCR）检测结果表明, 2龄和3龄幼虫在注射dsRNA 36 h和24 h后IGluR基因的转录后水平分别下降了32.67%和49.30%。幼虫发生RNA干扰后对阿维菌素的敏感性结果显示, 注射了IGluR dsRNA的幼虫死亡率显著低于对照。结果说明, 小菜蛾IGluR是阿维菌素的潜在靶标之一, 为进一步阐明小菜蛾对阿维菌素靶标抗性机理奠定了基础。     

Effects of temperature and humidity on emergence dynamics of Plutella xylostella (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae)

The effects of temperature and humidity on the emergence patterns of diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella (L.) (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae), were studied at four temperatures (20, 25, 28, and 33 degrees C),three relative humidities (50, 70, and 90%) and a photoperiod of 14:10 (L:D) h. Both sexes emerged primarily in the late afternoon to early morning, and the peaks of emergence varied depending on temperature and humidity. Females emerged significantly earlier than males. Incubation at 33 degrees C and 90% RH had a significant effect on the emergence rate, but no significant interaction was found between temperature and humidity. Emergence duration was 25.3 h for both sexes at 90% RH, with emergence duration at 33 degrees C lower than the other treatments. The sex ratios of diamondback moth under different temperature and humidity treatments were approximately 1:1, and there were no significant effects of temperature and humidity or interactions between these two factors.     

Evidence for resistance to pyrethroids and organophosphates in Plutella xylostella (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae) from Pakistan

The susceptibility of representative pyrethroid (cypermethrin, deltamethrin, lambdacyhalothrin, bifenthrin), organophosphate (chlorpyriphos, triazophos, profenophos) and new chemistry insecticides (spinosad, indoxacarb and emamectin) was investigated for 18 field populations of Plutella xylostella (Linnaeus) from three different zones in Pakistan. The LC(50) (mg ml(-1); 48 h) values of pyrethroids for various populations ranged from 0.19-1.88 for cypermethrin, 0.31-2.64 for deltamethrin, 0.08-1.16 for lambdacyhalothrin and 0.07-0.88 for bifenthrin. The LC(50) (mg ml(-1); 48 h) of organophosphates ranged from 0.52-5.67 for chlorpyriphos, 0.37-4.14 for triazophos and 0.03-2.65 for profenophos. The most probable reason for low toxicity of organophosphates and pyrethroids is the evolution of multiple resistance mechanisms; however, further studies are required to establish these mechanisms. When these same products were tested against a susceptible laboratory population (Lab-Pak), the new chemistry compounds were significantly more toxic than pyrethroids and organophosphates. The results are discussed in relation to integrated pest management and insecticide resistance management strategies for P. xylostella.     

Oviposition site selection by the diamondback moth,Plutella xylostella (L.) (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae)

AlthoughPlutella xylostella (L.) is a worldwide pest of cruciferous crops, relatively little is known about its oviposition behaviour. This study was undertaken to provide necessary information about mechanisms involved inP. xylostella host selection. Four oviposition behaviours were described. Moths were given artificial substrates treated with water, sinigrin, orBrassica napus (cv. Westar) squashes, combined withB. napus volatiles and/or grooves in the substrate. No eggs were deposited in the absence of olfactory and gustatory stimuli. Moths given gustatory but not olfactory stimuli deposited similar numbers of eggs but spent significantly more time performing olfactory-related behaviours. Conversely, moths given olfactory but not gustatory stimuli did not oviposit.SSubstrate grooves did not influence egg numbers but appeared to influence egg location. The order in which oviposition behaviours occurs and the relative importance of stimuli type are discussed.     

Functional response and predation of Nabis kinbergii （Hemiptera. Nabidae） to Plutella xylostella （Lepidoptera. Plutellidae）

The functional response of adult Nabis kinbergii （Hemiptera： Nabidae） to density of diamondback moth Plutella xylostella （Lepidoptera： Plutellidae） was investigated under laboratory conditions. Holling＇ s （1959） type Ⅱ model was found to be a good fit for the observed functional response of this predator. The numbers of P. xylostella consumed increased with temperature from 15℃ to 35℃. The maximum number of prey killed was observed at 35℃, with average of 10.3 and 8.3 forth instar larvae consumed by adult females and males of N. kinbergii, respectively. The predation of N. kinbergii on P. xylostella increased with successive immature stages. The number of prey consumed by predators decreased as the body size of prey increased. An average of 131 eggs or 95 larvae of P. xylostella were killed by a single of female adult in 24 hours at 24＂C. The pupae of P. xylostella were observed to be eaten by fifth instar nymphs and adults N. kinbergiiin numbers of less than an average of 0.7 pupae per predator in 24 hours at 24＂C. Predation preference by N. kinbergii was also investigated. The number of P. xylostella and Myzus persicae killed by female N. kinbergii was not significantly different, but males killed significantly more P. xylostella than M. persicae. Both eggs and larvae of P. xylosteUa were killed in significantly greater number than those of Pieris rapae in the same feeding arena.     

小菜蛾血淋巴对玫烟色棒束孢入侵的生理防御反应

为了探讨小菜蛾Plutella xylostella血淋巴对玫烟色棒束孢Isaria fumosorosea的防御机制, 利用吉姆萨染色法在光镜下观察了小菜蛾4龄幼虫血细胞感染不同致病力玫烟色棒束孢后的免疫反应。结果表明： 玫烟色棒束孢的入侵可导致小菜蛾血细胞数量发生改变, 表现为入侵初期血细胞总数增加, 不同类型血细胞比例改变等。体表接种后8-45 h, 高致病力菌株PFCF-001处理的幼虫血细胞总数在24 h出现最高值6 250个/mm³, 而低致病力菌株PFCF-D58处理在36 h达到最高值3 000个/mm³, 比高致病力菌株处理滞后12 h。不同菌株处理下虫体参与防御反应的主要血细胞类型为浆血细胞和粒血细胞。小菜蛾幼虫血细胞在感菌初期能够产生粘附、吞噬、包被及形成结节等一系列防卫反应, 但最终无法抵挡高致病力菌株PFCF-001的侵染。结果说明小菜蛾幼虫血淋巴对玫烟色棒束孢的防御反应只有短暂的抑制作用, 不能从根本上清除、 消灭玫烟色棒束孢。     

Effect of electron beam irradiation on developmental stages of Plutella xylostella (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae)

The effect of electron beam irradiation on each developmental stage of diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella L. (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae), was examined. Eggs, larvae, pupae, and adults were irradiated at target doses of 30, 50, or 100 Gy or they were left untreated as controls in replicated experiments. When eggs and pupae were irradiated with 100 Gy, emergence rates greatly decreased and, although some adults laid eggs, they did not hatch. Egg hatching of irradiated larvae and adult decreased with increasing irradiation doses. However, electron beam irradiation did not kill P. xylostella directly. Adult longevity was not affected. Reciprocal crosses between irradiated and unirradiated moths demonstrated that females were more radiosensitive than males in hatchability; however, the difference was not significant. In addition, electron beam-irradiated larvae showed typical DNA fragmentation in a dose-dependent manner compared with cells from unirradiated larvae. Our findings suggest that electron beam irradiation induces abnormal development and reproduction of P. xylostella; therefore, it may contribute to effective disinfestation and quarantine treatments of P. xylostella.     

Geographical variation of Plutella xylostella (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae) populations revealed by mitochondrial COI gene in China

The diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella (L.) (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae), is one of the most serious pests for cruciferous vegetable growers worldwide. To determine the relations of local and regional populations, we performed a mitochondrial COI gene analysis of eight P. xylostella populations from different locations in or around the Qinling Mountains and two other populations, one from Beijing and the other from Guangdong. The mtDNA divergences among the 10 populations were high, and 32 haplotypes were detected in 149 adults. The mean haplotype divergence was 1.7% (range 0.04–4.1%). Haplotype diversity in the 10 populations varied from 0.571 (AK) to 0.885 (HZ), and the nucleotide diversity varied from 0.00286 (AK) to 0.0117 (HZ). The results also did not show significant correlation between genetic and geographical distance. Also, the effective number of migrants between populations (Nm) ranged from 1.43 to infinite, suggesting that population exchange and gene flow among the P. xylostella populations occurred. However, principal component analysis (PCA) showed that the TB and TC populations were differentiated from other populations, indicating possible across‐mountain barrier to migration and gene flow.     

cDNA sequence analysis of ribosomal protein S13 gene in Plutella xylostella （Lepidoptera： Plutellidae）

Ribosomal protein S 13 gene has been cloned and analyzed in many organisms,but there are few documents relating to insects. In this communication, the full-length cDNA sequence of ribosomal protein S 13 gene in the diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella(Lepidoptera: Plutellidae), was determined by using PCR amplification technique. The features of the ribosomal protein S 13 gene sequence were analyzed and the deduced amino acids sequence was compared with those from other insects. The results of multi-alignment of the amino acid sequences between the diamondback moth and other insect species revealed that this gene sequence is highly conserved in insects. Based on maximum likelihood method, a phylogenetic tree was constructed from 10 different species using PHYLIP software. It showed that nematode is one separate lineage and the five insect speciesbe long to another lineage, whereas those species higher than insects form the third one. The pattern of this phylogenetic tree evidently represented the evolution of different species.     

Exploring Valid Reference Genes for Quantitative Real-time PCR Analysis in Plutella xylostella (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae)

Abstract: Quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR), a primary tool in gene expression analysis, requires an appropriate normalization strategy to control for variation among samples. The best option is to compare the mRNA level of a target gene with that of reference gene(s) whose expression level is stable across various experimental conditions. In this study, expression profiles of eight candidate reference genes from the diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella, were evaluated under diverse experimental conditions. RefFinder, a web-based analysis tool, integrates four major computational programs including geNorm, Normfinder, BestKeeper, and the comparative ΔCt method to comprehensively rank the tested candidate genes. Elongation factor 1 (EF1) was the most suited reference gene for the biotic factors (development stage, tissue, and strain). In contrast, although appropriate reference gene(s) do exist for several abiotic factors (temperature, photoperiod, insecticide, and mechanical injury), we were not able to identify a single universal reference gene. Nevertheless, a suite of candidate reference genes were specifically recommended for selected experimental conditions. Our finding is the first step toward establishing a standardized qRT-PCR analysis of this agriculturally important insect pest.     

Evaluation of five antibiotics on larval gut bacterial diversity of Plutella xylostella (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae)

Larvae of the diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella L. (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae), have rich microbial communities inhabiting the gut, and these bacteria contribute to the fitness of the pest. In this study we evaluated the effects of five antibiotics (rifampicin, ampicillin, tetracycline, streptomycin sulfate and chloramphenicol) on the gut bacterial diversity of P. xylostella larvae. We screened five different concentrations for each antibiotic in a leaf disc assay, and found that rifampicin and streptomycin sulfate at 3 mg/mL significantly reduced the diversity of the bacterial community, and some bacterial species could be rapidly eliminated. The number of gut bacteria in the rifampicin group and streptomycin sulfate group decreased more rapidly than the others. With the increase of antibiotic concentration, the removal efficiency was improved, whereas toxic effects became more apparent. All antibiotics reduced larval growth and development, and eventually caused high mortality, malformation of the prepupae, and hindered pupation and adult emergence. Among the five antibiotics, tetracycline was the most toxic and streptomycin sulfate was a relatively mild one. Some dominant bacteria were not affected by feeding antibiotics alone. Denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis graph showed that the most abundant and diverse bacteria in P. xylostella larval gut appeared in the cabbage feeding group, and diet change and antibiotics intake influenced gut flora abundance. Species diversity was significantly reduced in the artificial diet and antibiotics treatment groups. After feeding on the artificial diet with rifampicin, streptomycin sulfate and their mixture for 10 days, larval gut bacteria could not be completely removed as detected with the agarose gel electrophoresis method.