A review on the biology and management of potato tuber moth

Abstract

The potato tuber moth (PTM; caused by Phthorimaea operculella) is one of the most serious insect pests that causes damage to crop production and storage of potatoes. It causes damage to the potato, while larvae of P. operculella feed on and grow in the leaves and tubers of potatoes, resulting in direct product losses. The larvae construct tunnels through tubers and mine leaves, stems, and petioles, resulting in uneven galleries. Foliar damage to the potato crop does not normally result in major output losses, although contaminated tubers may have lower marketability and storage losses of up to 100%. Light watering every 4 days and mulching with neem leaves during the last 4 weeks before the harvest was found to be a successful treatment. Spraying a thin layer of testing natural oils also acts as a defensive layer, which causes confusion or disturbance to the searching neonate larvae. The pest is tough to eradicate, so producers rely heavily on insecticides and biological approaches. Potato tuberworm damage was reduced by rotating esfenvalerate and indoxacarb treatments before and after vine kill. At 5 g/kg potato tuber in farmer rustic storage, Acorus calamus dust exhibited great efficiency in preventing PTM tuber damage. In different regions of the world, parasitoids such as Copidosoma spp. and Apanteles spp. are significant in PTM management. Pheromone traps are used for pest population monitoring as well as pest management in the field and during storage.

Keywords

• tuber
• foliage
• larvae
• storage
• insect
• potato