Entomological Research (2019) 49, 258-264

Aman Dekebo, Sunil Aryal and Chuleui Jung (2019)
Suitability of tomato leaves for larval development of Potato Tuber Moth, Phthorimaea operculella (Zeller) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae)
Entomological Research 49 (6), 258-264
Abstract: The potato tuber moth (PTM) is an important pest of the potato plant and its tuber. With the expansion of its geographic range, the PTM could be potential threat to the tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.), a congeneric species of the potato. To assess that risk, we tested larval feeding and development of PTM on leaves of five cultivated tomato varieties namely Moneymaker, Campari, Ailsa Craig, LA3475, E6203 and one wild tomato variety S. pimpinellifolium. PTM larvae accepted all tested plant leaves and developed into adults. Larval development was fastest on the Ailsa Craig variety. Pupae developed fastest on the Moneymaker variety and slowest on LA3475. Host acceptance and survival were highest on Ailsa Craig and lowest on LA3475. The significantly highest male proportion occurred on LA3475 variety. The study showed that PTM could be a potential threat to tomato cultivation which is rapidly increasing in temperate regions owing to climate change.
(The abstract is excluded from the Creative Commons licence and has been copied with permission by the publisher.)
Link to article at publishers website
Database assignments for author(s): Chuleui Jung

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
general biology - morphology - evolution

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Phthorimaea operculella	Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum)