Hosts

Phthorimaea operculella is an oligophagous pest (i.e., an insect feeding on a restricted range of food plants) of vegetable crops that belongs mainly to the family Solanaceae. Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.), tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.), and tobacco (Nicotana tabacum L.) are principal hosts; however, the pest also attacks eggplant (Solanum melongena L.), bell pepper (Capsium annuum L.), Cape gooseberry (Physalis peruviana L.), aubergine (S. melongena L.), and sugar beet (Beta vulgaris L.) of the family Chenopodiaceae. Further, wild species of the Solanaceae family, including important weeds (e.g., black night shade, Solanum nigrum L.), are reported hosts. In total, the host range comprises 60 species.

Detection and identification 

In potato, the larva attacks all vegetative plant parts of the crop. Typical symptoms of leaf damage are mines caused by larvae feeding in the mesophyll, without damaging the upper and lower epidermis. Other entry points are leaf axils and the growing points of young plants. The foliage can be completely destroyed. Moths lay eggs through soil cracks on the developing tubers, which can cause high tuber damage at harvest. Tuber infestation caused by first instar larvae can be hard to detect, such that even with precautionary measures infested tubers are transferred to potato stores. Characteristic piles of feces indicate infestation; inside tubers, larvae bore irregular galleries that may run into the interior of the tubers or remain directly under the skin.

Selected Images

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Invasive Listing Sources

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• Idaho Invasive Species Act
• South Carolina Plant Pest List

References

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Common Name Reference: Bosik, J. J. Common Names of Insects and Related Organisms 1997. Lanham, MD: Entomological Society of America (ESA), 1997. 232 pp.

Scientific Name Reference: R.W. Poole and P. Gentili, Nomina Insecta Nearctica. 1996. Nomina insecta nearctica: a checklist of the insects of North America. Vol. 1-4. Rockville (MD): Entomological Information Services. Available at URL: http://www.nearctica.com/nomina/main.htm