Glucosinolates
Guides
Brevicoryne brassicae
cabbage aphid, cabbage aphis, mealy cabbage aphid
Brevicoryne brassicae, commonly known as the cabbage aphid, is a destructive agricultural pest native to Europe that has spread worldwide. The species feeds exclusively on plants in the family Brassicaceae, including cabbage, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, and other cultivated brassicas. Large colonies form on the undersides of young leaves and flower heads, causing significant yield losses through direct feeding damage and virus transmission. The aphid possesses a unique chemical defense mechanism, producing myrosinase enzyme and sequestering glucosinolates from host plants to release toxic mustard oil compounds when attacked.
Glaphyriinae
Glaphyriinae is a subfamily of Crambidae moths described by William Trowbridge Merrifield Forbes in 1923. The subfamily contains approximately 509 species in 75 genera, including well-known genera such as Evergestis and Hellula. Larvae of this subfamily are notable for their specialization on Brassicales plants and their ability to detoxify glucosinolates, chemical defenses produced by these host plants.
Phyllotreta armoraciae
Horseradish Flea Beetle
Phyllotreta armoraciae is a monophagous flea beetle specialized on horseradish (Armoracia rusticana). Research has identified its unique feeding chemistry: the beetle requires synergistic combinations of glucosinolates and flavonol glycosides (specifically kaempferol 3-O-xylosylgalactoside and quercetin 3-O-xylosylgalactoside) for feeding stimulation, marking the first documented case of a crucifer-feeding insect using non-glucosinolate allelochemicals as feeding stimulants. Two subspecies are recognized: P. a. armoraciae and P. a. biplagiata.