author(s)
Gowri G and Manimegalai K

abstract
The diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella (L.), (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae) were studied in laboratory condition at 25±1 ⁰C on cauliflower during the year 2016. The results on number of individuals survived during the development revealed that there was no mortality of egg stage and the durations of egg, larva and pupa were 3, 19 and 22 days, respectively. The pre-oviposition period was 24 to 26 days. Females contributed highest number of progeny (mx) 21.66 in the life cycle on the 6^th day of pivotal age. The net reproductive rate (Ro) was 90.34 females with the mean length of generation period (Tc) of 29.57 days. The innate capacity for increase (rm) and finite rate of increase (λ) were found to be 0.1523 and 1.3998 females/ female/ day, respectively. The population was multiplied (λ)⁷ 4.8650 times per week. The hypothetical F2 females were found to be 8161.31. The expected further life at the age of 10 to 15 days was reduced to 8.53 from 12.17 days.