The toxicities of fenvalerate (20% EC) to the 3rd instar larvae of diamondback moth (DBM), Plutella xylostella (L.), reared on three host plants viz., radish, oilseed rape, and cabbage were tested. The LC50 values of fenvalerate to the 3rd instar larvae of DBM varied with host plants, however, there wasn’t any significant difference among them (P > 0.05). Similarly, DBM fed on three host plants had same pupal weight, pupal period, pupation rate, adult emergence rate, female ratio, and fecundity. The activity of juvenile hormone esterase (JHE, EC 3.1.1.1) in the 3rd instar larvae of DMB did not significantly vary with host plants, either. These suggested that DBM had similar fitness on the three host plant species. When fed on the host plants pretreated with fenvalerate at the concentrations equivalent to LC20, LC50 and LC80, the pupation rate, pupal weight, adult emergence rate, female ratio, fecundity, and JHE activity of the tested insects were declined as compared with insects in control treatments fed on the same host plant species. Furthermore, the pupal period of the tested insects was extended after fenvalerate treatment. The decrease in JHE activity after fenvalerate treatment in the tested insects could partly explain the changes in the mentioned growth parameters. Whether the role of fenvalerate in the inhibition of JHE activity could serve as a new way to control DBM needs further investigation.
