Phthorimaea operculella (Zeller, 1873) Species
Last modified: May 4, 2024, 6:44 p.m.
A pest species on Solanaceae. This very rare species is mainly observed in the northern part of Belgium. Distribution insufficiently known due to similarity with other species of the family.
Details
- Classification
- Family: Gelechiidae > Subfamily: Gelechiinae > Tribus: Gnorimoschemini > Genus: Phthorimaea > Species: Phthorimaea operculella
- Vernacular names
- Aardappelmot (NL), Potato tuber moth (EN), Kartoffel-Palpenmotte, Kartoffelmotte (DE)
- Status
-
Native
Distribution
Imago
Wingspan 12–16 mm.
Museum specimens
No pictures yet!Specimens in nature
Bionomics
The rosy white larva develops usually in potato tubers, but when it emerges on leaves, it forms a gallery and penetrates the fruits, stems and leaves of the food plant. Larval development only above temperatures higher as 10°C. Hibernation as egg and later it pupates in a very narrow whitish cocoon.
Flight periods
Usually around six generations a year in Mediterranean regions, but it appear usually from April till October with the generations overlapping each other.
Observed on
- Host plant (species):
- Solanum tuberosum and Lycopersicon esculentum
The larva feeds on Lycium europaeum, Lycopersicon esculentum, Nicotinia tabacum and different species of Solanum.
