The present study about the oviposition preference of the diamondback moth, <em>Plutella xylostella</em> (Linnaeus, 1758) (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae), can contribute to the determination of the location and time of release of parasitoids and predators or application of insecticides or bio-insecticides in the cabbage culture, <em>Brassica oleracea</em> Capitata group (Linnaeus, 1758) (Brassicales: Brassicaceae). Thus, aimed to this study was to determine the oviposition pattern of diamondback moth on three leaves locations and age of cabbage plants. The locations of the evaluated leaves were external, intermediate and internal. The evaluated plant ages were 20, 40, 60 and 80 days after transplanting. The eggs deposition behavior by diamondback moth was influenced by the development stage of the cabbage plant <em>F</em><sub>6, 96</sub> = 438.21; <em>p</em> = 0.05). The oviposition preference on the external leaves occurred on plants with 20 days old, on the intermediate leaves at 40 days and on the internal leaves at 60 and 80 days. The age with greater oviposition was at 40 days on the external and intermediate leaves; and at 60 days on the internal leaves. Therefore, the behavior of egg deposition of the diamondback moth was altered as the cabbage plant development.
