Abstract The impact of simulated rainfall on diamondback moth (DBM), Plutella xylostella (L.) (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae), larvae depends on their stage-specific feeding behavior, physical characteristics, and host plants. Neonates released at typical oviposition sites on Chinese cabbage (Brassica rapa var. pekinensis L. [Brassicales: Brassicaceae]) plants moved less (3–72 cm) and spend shorter periods (>1 h) than it has been previously reported for common cabbage (Brassica oleracea var. capitata L. [Brassicales: Brassicaceae]) (>80 cm and >3 h, respectively) before establishing feeding sites. On both host plants, larvae spent longer on the abaxial surfaces of leaves and were more likely to establish mines there than on the adaxial surfaces. On Chinese cabbage plants, ≈40% of neonates were removed when exposed to rainfall (5.6 cm/h for 3 min) within 5 min of release. Larval losses decreased rapidly as the interval between release and rainfall exposure increased and exposure to rainfall 2 h after release did not affect survival. On common cabbage plants, ≈65% of neonates were removed when exposed to rainfall within 30 min of release, losses decreased as the interval between release and rainfall exposure increased, but they decreased more slowly than on Chinese cabbage, and rainfall caused significant larval mortality up to 4 h after release. Rainfall also affected later instar larvae (susceptibility: 2nd> 3rd = 4th) but neither the susceptibility of these larvae nor that of pupae was affected by the host plant. Wet leaf surfaces disrupted movement and feeding site establishment by neonates. When dislodged from plants on to the surface of wet soil, most later stage larvae could relocate host plants, but most neonates could not.