The Journey of the Potato Tuberworm Around the World

Abstract

Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) production is challenged by many factors including pests and diseases. Among insect pests, Phthorimaea operculella Zeller (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae), known as the potato tuber worm or potato tuber moth, is considered one of the most important potato pests worldwide. Phthorimaea operculella is a cosmopolitan pest of solanaceous crops including potato, tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.), and other important row crops. Adults oviposit in leaves, stems, and tubers; immature stage mines leaves causing foliar damage, but most importantly, burrows into tubers rendering them unmarketable. Currently, pest management practices are effective in controlling P. operculella, but the effectiveness depends on many factors that will be discussed later in this chapter. Each section includes up-to-date information related to P. operculella biology, ecology, and control, including origins, host range, life cycle, distribution, seasonal dynamics, and control methods.

Potential for the Postharvest Biological Control of Phthorimaea operculella (Lepidoptera, Gelechiidae) by Blattisocius tarsalis (Mesostigmata, Blattisociidae)

“…Even though several integrated pest management methods have been developed, the use of chemical insecticides remains the principal control method worldwide [13,14]. However, the chemical control of PTM in tuber storage has limited potential since most insecticides cannot be safely applied to potatoes shortly before they are marketed for human consumption [15].…”

Assessing Genetic Diversity of Three Species of Potato Tuber Moths (Gelechiidae, Lepidoptera) in the Ecuadorian Highlands

“…1, Table S1). Moths that were attracted to each species-specific pheromone trap were verified to be the correct species based on wing patterns (Sporleder et al 2016a, b;Rondon & Gao 2018). Individual samples were placed in 1.5 mL micro-centrifuge tubes (Hauppauge, New York, USA) and stored in 95% ethanol at 17 to 18 °C upon arrival at the laboratory.…”

“…Numerous insect pests attack potato plants and tubers during the growing season and post-harvest (i.e., storage). Three species of potato tuber moths (Lepidoptera; Gelechiidae), the Guatemalan potato tuber moth, Tecia solanivora Povolny, the Andean potato tuber moth, Symmetrischema tangolias Gyen, and the common potato tuber moth, Phthorimaea operculella Zeller, are present in Ecuador and cause significant economic losses (Gallegos et al 2004;Rondon & Gao 2018).…”

“…Different from T. solanivora and S. tangolias, P. operculella is a cosmopolitan pest that causes considerable damage worldwide (Rondon & Gao 2018). Phthorimaea operculella can be found in over 90 countries across the Americas, Asia, Africa, and Australia Rondon & Gao 2018). It feeds on solanaceous crops such as potatoes and tomatoes.…”

Complete mitogenome of Phthorimaea operculella (Lepidoptera: Gelechioidea: Gelechiidae)

“…The larvae of P. operculella mainly feed on Solanaceae crops like potato, tobacco, and tomato. In China, the loss of average potato yield can reach 40-45% (Rondon and Gao 2018), which makes a considerable damage to the industry of potato. Previous studies mainly focused on the ecology, biology, and management of P. operculella, yet few people studied its molecular characteristic.…”