Decoding Phthorimaea operculella (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) in the new age of change
Silvia I. Rondon
Abstract
Arthropods and pathogens constantly challenge potato Solanum tuberosum L. production. Scenarios of climate variation have increased the possibility of changes in pests' biological and ecological patterns by increasing or reducing overwintering length, changes in population growth rates, number of generations, crop-pest relationship, and therefore affecting their expansion. Phthorimaea operculella Zeller (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) is one of the main pests affecting potatoes worldwide. Adults oviposit single or multiple eggs in leaves, stems, and tubers, while the larvae in immature stage mine leaves or burrows into tubers turning them unmarketable. Traditional control methods are effective in controlling P. operculella, but many factors determine the success of the control chosen. This review provides key highlights of current information available that could be used as a resource to fight this pest.