Phthorimaea operculella, also known as the potato tuber moth or tobacco splitworm, is a moth of the family Gelechiidae. It is an oligophagous insect that feeds on the plant family Solanaceae and is especially known for being a major pest of potato crops.[1] Currently farmers utilize insecticides, parasites, and sprinkler irrigation in order to prevent P. operculella from infesting their croplands.
The potato tuber moth also has a rare oviposition process where the ovipositor contains sensors that pick up on chemical signals given off by the host plant. Therefore, the adult female moth only needs to be within the vicinity of a host plant to lay her eggs.
The potato tuber moth has a body length of about 10mm and a wingspan of about 12mm. Adult moths have a narrow, light brown body with grayish-brown wings containing a variety of small dark spots. The moth contains two sets of wings, both having frayed edges. Females are distinguished from males by having a black “X” pattern on their forewings when their wings are closed.[2]
P. operculella can be found worldwide but prefer subtropical, tropical, and mediterranean climates.[3] In the United States, P. operculella have been spotted in at least 25 states, especially along the Atlantic and Pacific coast. The potato tuber moth is also commonly found in Africa, Asia, Europe, South America, and Oceania. In total, the moth has been reported in more than 90 countries.[2]
The potato tuber moth typically lives in areas near potatoes or within the vicinity of their host plant family, Solanaceae. Temperature is an important factor in the survival rate and development of P. operculella, and so they are typically found in warmer climates, preferring subtropical and tropical habitats.[3]
Potato tuber moth larvae are known for feeding on the tubers, roots, and foliage (on which they are leafminers) of potato plants (Solanum tuberosum). However, larvae are only able to locate potato tubers if the tubers are exposed or within 1 cm of the soil surface. There is no evidence that newly hatched larvae would burrow down and locate tubers using the root system.[4] On foliage, the larvae mainly feed on the mesophyll, leaving brown or white spots in the leaves, known as blotch mines.[5] The potato tuber moth has been found to feed on various members of the family Solanaceae such as tobacco plants (Nicotiana tabacum), eggplants (Solanum melongena), tomatoes (Lycopersicon esculentum), and bell peppers (Capsicum annuum).[5]
The ovipositor of the P. operculella is approximately 1.5mm in length and 0.3mm in width. On either side of the ovipositor are approximately 30-40 tapering hairs that range from 0.03-0.3mm in length. At the tip of the ovipositor are more smaller hairs that are spaced evenly over the area.[6]
The female potato tuber moth does not require to be on top of or inside a host plant in order to mate and lay eggs.[6] However, full fecundity is only achieved when the moth is in the vicinity of a preferred host plant.[1] Female adult moths look for surface depressions (cracks) that are just large enough to contain her eggs, typically 0.2-0.5 mm squared.[6] Hairy and textured surfaces are preferred over smooth and waxy surfaces.[6] Females also strongly prefer dry places to lay her eggs and studies have shown that total number of eggs laid is reduced in the presence of moist surfaces.[4][6] Shade is also preferred over bright light.[1]
Experiments published in the Entomological Society of America conducted on adult potato tuber moths have shown that the number of eggs a female contains at emergence is less than the total number of eggs laid over the total lifespan and therefore further maturation of eggs takes place during the adult life phase and depends on the amount of resources, such as food and water, that the adult is able to forage.[3]
Adult female moths prefer to oviposit on host plants from the family Solanaceae. The ovipositor contains both mechano and chemo-sensory receptors that look for certain chemical factors from plants in order to help the female moth determine which plants are preferred.[1] A study by P. G. Fenemore from Massey University shows that potato tuber moths are drawn to an amino acid in potatoes called L-glutamic acid and that this plays a key role in helping determine plant selection for oviposition.[1]
Adult female P. operculella can lay over 200 eggs over their lifespan, depending on environmental conditions. The eggs are typically oval in shape, smooth, and have a pearly white to yellowish color. The eggs usually take around five days to hatch.[2] The eggs can be laid on the soil next to a preferred host plant, but they are typically laid next to a vein on the leaf, between the bud and the stem, or underneath the stem.[5]
Potato tuber moth larvae are typically 12-15mm long and are white or yellow with a brown head and prothorax. As the larvae matures, its color changes from white/yellow to pink/green. The thorax contains small black spots as well as bristles on each segment, and the larvae typically feeds on its host plant for up to two weeks before pupation.[2]
In order for the larvae to determine if it wants to mine a particular host plant, it first spends 5–15 minutes walking around the leaves, attaching a thread of silk to the surface as it goes. The larvae makes small changes in direction as it walks and occasionally bites the leaf four to five times. Once it selects a location to mine, the larvae proceeds to build a silk roof around the area and then begins to mine downwards, placing the pieces of leaf to the side of the hole.[5]
On non-host plants, the larvae makes fewer test bites and silk deposits. On average, the larvae walks faster on a non-host plant compared to a preferred host plant and if it reaches the edge of the leaf will leave the plant all together instead of turning around.[5]
The pupae of P. operculella are narrow in width and typically 0.5 inches in length. They are usually white in color and will take 10–30 days to develop, depending on environmental conditions.[2]
Adult potato tuber moths are nocturnal and typically are not active until 1–2 hours after sunset. At first they were thought to be poor fliers until a study by Foley in 1985 showed that they are actually capable of flying for over 5 hours and 10 kilometers non-stop in laboratory conditions.[1] P. operculella commonly live for 1–2 weeks. Mating begins around 24 hours after emergence and most eggs are laid within the first quarter of the female's life.[3] Peak oviposition for females occurs 2–5 days after emergence and declines to much lower levels by day 7.[7]
The larval parasitoid wasp Apanteles subandinus was introduced as a possible strategy to control P. operculella infestations.[4] The parasite kills the moth towards the end of its larvae stage and has been found to be successful in controlling foliar infestations of the potato tuber moth. In South Africa, the spider Selenops radiatus has proved to be an effective controlling agent for this species. The wasp Diadegma mollipla, which exists in South Africa as well, is another parasitoid of the moth's larvae.[8]
Female potato tuber moths release a sex pheromone to attract males that has been shown to be composed of tridecadienyl and tridecatrienyl acetates. Males that sense this pheromone typically display wing fanning behavior and walk in a “zig-zagging” route towards the source.[9]
The larvae of the potato tuber moths can be very damaging to potato crops as well as tobacco and tomato plants. The larvae will eat away at the foliage and then proceed to eat away at the tubers as well, preventing the plant from growing.[4] At times, the larvae will eat through the potatoes themselves making them unsellable to consumers. Insecticides are commonly used to prevent and kill off potato tuber larvae but they are only effective against foliar infestations and not against infested tubers.[4] Larval parasites such as Apanteles subandinus have also been successful in controlling foliar infestations but unfortunately do not have any significant impact on tuber infestations. The best solution to prevent the larvae from eating away at the tubers is with sprinkler irrigation as it deters the adult female moths from ovipositing.[4]
Phthorimaea operculella, also known as the potato tuber moth or tobacco splitworm, is a moth of the family Gelechiidae. It is an oligophagous insect that feeds on the plant family Solanaceae and is especially known for being a major pest of potato crops. Currently farmers utilize insecticides, parasites, and sprinkler irrigation in order to prevent P. operculella from infesting their croplands.
The potato tuber moth also has a rare oviposition process where the ovipositor contains sensors that pick up on chemical signals given off by the host plant. Therefore, the adult female moth only needs to be within the vicinity of a host plant to lay her eggs.
La Teigne de la pomme de terre (Phthorimaea operculella) est une espèce d'insectes de l'ordre des lépidoptères (papillons) et de la famille des Gelechiidae, originaire d'Amérique. C'est un petit papillon dont la chenille est un ravageur principalement des tubercules de pomme de terre, notamment en période de stockage. Cet insecte est répandu dans toutes les régions chaudes, tropicales et subtropicales, du globe, et en particulier sur le pourtour du bassin méditerranéen.
L'aire de répartition de la teigne de la pomme de terre s'étend sur les cinq continents, principalement dans les zones de climat tropical et subtropical. On la rencontre notamment en Amérique du Sud, où se trouve son aire d'origine, en Amérique du Nord, en Asie, de la Turquie au Japon et au sous-continent indien, en Afrique (Afrique du Nord, Kenya), en Europe méridionale (du Portugal à la Grèce) ainsi que dans le sud de la partie européenne de la Russie et en Ukraine, en Océanie (Australie, Nouvelle-Zélande)[1].
L'adulte est un petit papillon de mœurs nocturnes, qui mesure environ 10 mm de long environ, de teinte grisâtre avec des taches noires sur les ailes antérieures.
La larve est une chenille blanchâtre de 10 à 12 mm de long.
Il peut y avoir jusqu'à 12 générations par an si les conditions sont favorables (température de 25 °C).
L'utilisation d'insecticides est courante, notamment la fumigation au bromure de méthyle (CH3Br) pour protéger les stocks de pommes de terre[3]. En Europe, l'emploi du bromure de méthyle, classé parmi les substances qui appauvrissent la couche d’ozone est réglementé dans le cadre du règlement n° 1005/2009 du 16 septembre 2009[4].
La lutte intégrée a recours aux phéromones, à des insectes parasites, ainsi qu'à des pratiques culturales particulières[5].
La Teigne de la pomme de terre (Phthorimaea operculella) est une espèce d'insectes de l'ordre des lépidoptères (papillons) et de la famille des Gelechiidae, originaire d'Amérique. C'est un petit papillon dont la chenille est un ravageur principalement des tubercules de pomme de terre, notamment en période de stockage. Cet insecte est répandu dans toutes les régions chaudes, tropicales et subtropicales, du globe, et en particulier sur le pourtour du bassin méditerranéen.
De aardappelmot (Phthorimaea operculella) is een vlinder uit de familie tastermotten (Gelechiidae). De wetenschappelijke naam is voor het eerst geldig gepubliceerd in 1873 door Zeller.
De soort komt voor in Europa.
De larvan van deze soort voeden zich met planten uit de nachtschadefamilie (Solanaceae), voornamelijk aardappels, tomaten en tabaksplanten. Ze brengen daarbij schade aan, waardoor de opbrengst vermindert en de kans op aantasting door plantenziekten toeneemt.
Bronnen, noten en/of referenties
Phthorimaea operculella é uma espécie de insetos lepidópteros, mais especificamente de traças, pertencente à família Gelechiidae.[1]
A autoridade científica da espécie é Zeller, tendo sido descrita no ano de 1873.
Trata-se de uma espécie presente no território português.
Phthorimaea operculella é uma espécie de insetos lepidópteros, mais especificamente de traças, pertencente à família Gelechiidae.
A autoridade científica da espécie é Zeller, tendo sido descrita no ano de 1873.
Trata-se de uma espécie presente no território português.
Patates güvesi (Phthorimaea operculella), Gelechiidae familyasından larvası pembesi beyaz veya yeşilimsi renklerde olan zararlı bir böcek türü.
Kanat açıklığı 10–15 mm kadardır. Kanatları çok dar olup ön kanatları grimsi kahverengi, üzeri küçük koyu kahverengi lekelidir. Alt kanatları ise açık gri renktedir. Her iki kanadın da arka ve yan kenarları saçaklıdır. Boyu 10–12 mm kadardır.
Kışı tarlada kalmış bitki artıkları arasında yumurta veya larva döneminde geçirir. Mart sonu veya Nisan başlarında erginler görülmeye başlar. Çiftleşen dişiler yumurtalarını geceleri patlıcan ve patates bitkilerinin yapraklarının alt yüzüne, çiçek tomurcuklarına, hatta sürgünlerine bırakır. Çıkan larvalar gelişmesini tamamladıktan sonra tepe sürgünlerinde, taze yapraklar arasında ördüğü kokon içinde pupa olur. Yılda 3-4 döl verir.
Konukçuları, başta patates ve patlıcan olmak üzere domates, biber ve tütün gibi Solanaceae familyasına bağlı bitki türleridir.
Wikimedia Commons'ta Patates güvesi ile ilgili çoklu ortam belgeleri bulunur. 
Wikispecies'te Patates güvesi ile ilgili detaylı taksonomi bilgileri bulunur. Patates güvesi (Phthorimaea operculella), Gelechiidae familyasından larvası pembesi beyaz veya yeşilimsi renklerde olan zararlı bir böcek türü.
Kanat açıklığı 10–15 mm kadardır. Kanatları çok dar olup ön kanatları grimsi kahverengi, üzeri küçük koyu kahverengi lekelidir. Alt kanatları ise açık gri renktedir. Her iki kanadın da arka ve yan kenarları saçaklıdır. Boyu 10–12 mm kadardır.
Kışı tarlada kalmış bitki artıkları arasında yumurta veya larva döneminde geçirir. Mart sonu veya Nisan başlarında erginler görülmeye başlar. Çiftleşen dişiler yumurtalarını geceleri patlıcan ve patates bitkilerinin yapraklarının alt yüzüne, çiçek tomurcuklarına, hatta sürgünlerine bırakır. Çıkan larvalar gelişmesini tamamladıktan sonra tepe sürgünlerinde, taze yapraklar arasında ördüğü kokon içinde pupa olur. Yılda 3-4 döl verir.
Konukçuları, başta patates ve patlıcan olmak üzere domates, biber ve tütün gibi Solanaceae familyasına bağlı bitki türleridir.
Міль картопляна (Phthorimaea operculella Zell) — олігофаг, пошкоджує картоплю (бульби та вегетативну частину), баклажани, тютюн, томати, перець, паслін, дурман, беладону, фізаліс та інші декоративні пасльонові.
Картопляна міль розмножується у полі та сховищах. Гусениці виїдають паренхіму листків, утворюючи міни на них. гусениця може вгризатися у черешок, і тоді листок гине повністю. Характерна зовнішня ознака пошкодження бульб картоплі гусеницями — скупчення екскрементів на поверхні. Гусениці розвиваються в середині бульб, пронизуючи їх ходами, такі бульби нагадують губку. В окремих бульбах може розвиватись більше 10 гусениць. Бульби картоплі, що сильно пошкоджені картопляною міллю стають непридатними для посадки та переробки.
Розповсюджується картопляна міль на всіх стадіях розвитку з бульбами картоплі і плодами пасльонових культур.
На територію України забороняється ввозити приватним особам бульби картоплі. Забороняється також ввозити плоди томатів, баклажанів та інших пасльонових культур із зон зараження країн розповсюдження картопляної молі. У випадку виявлення шкідника проводиться знезараження вантажів. В період вегетації регулярно проводяться обстеження пасльонових культур на виявлення шкідника. Також рекомендується знищувати бур'яни родини пасльонових, як резерваторів шкідника. Рекомендується застосовувати у період вегетації інсектициди дозволені «Переліком пестицидів …», а у сховищах бульби обробляють біопрепаратими: бітоксибацилін, лепідоцид, дендробацилін.
У 2005 році шкідник був поширений в 4 областях півдня України, АР Крим та м. Севастополь, на загальній площі 8 664,85 га. У 2005 році площа зараження зменшилась на 45 га: в Кіровському районі АР Крим на 40 га, а в м. Севастополь на 5 га, за рахунок зменшення обсягів промислового вирощування пасльонових у господарствах, застосування комплексу карантинних заходів, а також своєчасного виявлення і локалізації вогнищ шкідника. На 1.01.2006 картопляна міль розповсюджена в АР Крим, місті Севастополь, Донецькій, Запорізькій, Одеській та Херсонській областях України.
Міль картопляна (Phthorimaea operculella Zell) — олігофаг, пошкоджує картоплю (бульби та вегетативну частину), баклажани, тютюн, томати, перець, паслін, дурман, беладону, фізаліс та інші декоративні пасльонові.
Картопляна міль розмножується у полі та сховищах. Гусениці виїдають паренхіму листків, утворюючи міни на них. гусениця може вгризатися у черешок, і тоді листок гине повністю. Характерна зовнішня ознака пошкодження бульб картоплі гусеницями — скупчення екскрементів на поверхні. Гусениці розвиваються в середині бульб, пронизуючи їх ходами, такі бульби нагадують губку. В окремих бульбах може розвиватись більше 10 гусениць. Бульби картоплі, що сильно пошкоджені картопляною міллю стають непридатними для посадки та переробки.
Розповсюджується картопляна міль на всіх стадіях розвитку з бульбами картоплі і плодами пасльонових культур.
