Potato tuber moth, Tecia solanivora

The potato tuber moth is a serious pest of potato in tropical and sub-tropical crops. It occurs in Africa, Asia, the Americas and warmer parts of Europe. There may be seven to ten generations per year in optimal environmental conditions. The larvae hatch and build galleries in tubers (potatoes) eating their way further into the potato as they grow larger. The potato starts to turn black and rots as the larvae leaves food residue and frass behind. Adults can be detected using traps and pheromones. It is advised to put out 16 pheromones and traps per hectare from planting to harvest, monitor traps in order to time treatments as part of an effective integrated pest management programme.
Potato tuber moth
Biology

 

Nature of Damage

 

Monitoring