Phthorimaea Operculella Research Articles

Biocontrol potential of Steinernema cholashanense (Nguyen) on larval and pupal stages of potato tuber moth, Phthorimaea operculella (Zeller).

The potato tuber moth, Phthorimaea operculella (Zeller), is a serious pest of potato and other commercial crops belonging to the Solanaceae family. In recent years, it has become an emerging problem in potato-growing regions of the Nilgiri hills of southern India. It is responsible for the reduced quality and quantity of marketable potatoes. In this regard, the development of an eco-friendly control method for the management of the potato tuber moth is urgently required. Therefore, in the present study, the virulence of Steinernema cholashanense CPRSUS01 originally isolated from the potato rhizosphere was tested on fourth-instar larvae and pupae of P. operculella. Steinernema cholashanense caused the greatest mortality in the fourth-instar larval stage (100%) than the pupae (30%). In addition to this, penetration and reproduction of this nematode was also studied in fourth-instar larvae of P. operculella and this is the first report of penetration and reproduction of any entomopathogenic nematode species on potato tuber moth larvae. The reproduction capacity of S. cholashanense on P. operculella is higher (702 infective juveniles mg-1 body weight). Our results indicated that S. cholashanense has good potential as an alternative tool for the management of P. operculella. But before including S. cholashanense in the integrated pest management program of P. operculella, its efficacy should be tested under field conditions.

The Potential Distribution of the Potato Tuber Moth (Phthorimaea Operculella) Based on Climate and Host Availability of Potato

This study evaluated the potential distribution of the potato tuber moth. This species severely impacts global potato production, especially in China and India, which have the world’s largest potato production. We developed two indices considering host plant availability and production in addition to climatic suitability, which was simulated using the CLIMEX model. Thus, three different indices were used to project potential distribution of the potato tuber moth under a climate change scenario: (1) climatic suitability (ecoclimatic index (EI)) (EIM), (2) climatic suitability combined with host plant availability (EIN1), and (3) climatic suitability combined with host plant production (EIN2). Under the current climate, EIM was high in southern India and central to southern China, while EIN1 and EIN2 were approximately 38% and 20% lower than EIM, respectively. Under the Special Report on Emissions Scenario A1B, the potato tuber moth would probably not occur in India, but its distribution could be extended to the north, reaching N47°. The areas with the highest climatic suitability by potato tuber moth based on three indices were Sichuan and Karnataka in response to climate change. These areas require adequate pest control, such as prevention of spread through transport of potato seed or by using cold storage facilities.

Dört Farklı Bitki Ekstraktının Patates Güvesi [(Phthorimaea operculella (Zeller) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae)] Yumurta ve Larvasına Karşı Toksik Etki Çalışması

Bu çalışmada iki farklı kekik türü (Thymus vulgaris L. ve Origanum majorana L.), adaçayı (Salvia officinalis L.) ve Lavanta (Lavandula officinalis L.), bitki ekstraktının önemli bir karantina zararlısı olan Patatesten güvesi-PG [(Phthorimaea operculella (Zeller) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae)]‘nin ergin öncesi dönemlerine karşı toksik etkisi araştırılmıştır. Her bir bitkinin ekstraktları üç farklı %3, 5 ve 10 ml/L‘luk konsantrasyonda etanol ile seyreltilmiş, zararlının larva ve yumurtalarına karşı uygulanmıştır. Yumurtaya uygulamada en yüksek konsantrasyonda (%10 ml/L) sırasıyla, lavanta ve T. vulgaris‘de %73,7, O. majorana'da %67,5 ve adaçayında ise %66,2 oranında inhibisyon gözlenmiştir. Elde edilen sonuçlar, konsantrasyon arttıkça, yumurta açılımının azaldığını gösterirken, en çok etki lavanta ve T. vulgaris‘in %10 ile muamele edilmiş P. operculella yumurtalarında görülmüştür. Gözlemler 7 gün boyunca yapılmıştır. Larva evresine karşı insektisit toksisite çalışmasında, 7. gün sonunda ölüm oranı en yüksek konsantrasyonda (%10 ml/L), O. majorana %91,2, Lavanta 90%, T. vulgaris %87 ve adaçayında %83,7 oranlarında tespit edilmiştir. Ayrıca larvada 4 farklı bitki ekstraktının konsantrasyonları arttıkça ölüm oranının da zamana bağlı olarak arttığı tespit edilmiştir. Sonuç olarak, bu çalışmada, bitki ekstraktlarının yumurta evresine ovisidal toksisitesi olduğu ve larva evresine de insektisidal etkisi olduğu bulunmuştur.

Cuminum cyminum methanolic extract – Fe3O4 nanocomposite: A novel and efficient insecticide against the potato tuber moth (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) to protect potatoes

Phthorimaea operculella is a significant insect pest of cultivated potatoes in tropical and subtropical regions such as Iran. Since the potato is one of the most valuable sources of human food, non-chemical control of potato pests is essential. Application of medicinal plant extracts is a low-risk alternative method to synthetic chemical insecticides. Hence, the present study was conducted to investigate a potential strategy to improve the insecticidal activity of plant extracts for efficient management of P. operculella. The insecticidal efficacy of pure methanolic extract (PME) and Fe3O4@methanolic extract (FME) of Cuminum cyminum were evaluated against the potato tuber moth under laboratory conditions. The morphological characteristics of Fe3O4@Cumin were investigated by scanning electron microscope. Magnetic properties of the samples were determined using a vibration sample magnetometer. XRD was used to prove the crystalline structure of Fe3O4@Cumin. SEM, FTIR, XRD, and VSM analyses confirmed that the methanolic extract was loaded on Fe3O4. The toxicity of PME and Fe3O4@Cumin were evaluated on one-day-old eggs and penetration the first instar larvae of P. operculella into potato tubers and leaves. The LC50 values of Cumin extract and Fe3O4@ Cumin were 961.07 and 601.48 and 496.84 and 268.82 ppm for penetrating neonate larvae to tubers and leaves, and 874.90 and 595.16 ppm for eggs, respectively. Bioassays revealed that Fe3O4@Cumin was more toxic than non-formulated Cumin methanolic extract against eggs and neonate larvae of P. operculella. The formulated methanolic extract was significantly more repellent against the pest. Our results suggested that the prepared nanocomposite could be used as a new effective tool for P. operculella management strategies to protect potatoes.

Efficiency of AFLP markers to detect genetic variation in Phthorimaea operculella (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) offspring irradiated males

AFLP technique was used to evaluate the genetic variation among normal and partially sterilized potato tuber moth males. Mating experiments were carried out to obtain partially sterilized males and their descending offspring. Then, 316 AFLP bands were amplified using eight primer combinations of which 33.8 were polymorphic 85.5%, which varied from 68.57% to 100%. The UPGMA dendrogram generated for the AFLP data revealed that irradiated and unirradiated male samples were clustered into two groups, and the offspring of F1 and F2 of unirradiated parents were clustered into one group. Moreover, the progeny of F1 and F2 of irradiated parents clustered into three groups. No specific DNA marker could identify the irradiated males; however, there was a clear genetic variability between examined individuals. Thus, the AFLP technique could be utilized to study genetic variations among individuals of the same line. The AFLP markers could enhance the monitoring system of mass-released insects program when inherited sterility technique is applied against potato tuber moth.

Potential of the Blattisocius mali Mite (Acari: Blattisociidae) as a Biological Control Agent of Potato Tubermoth (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) in Stored Potatoes

Potato tubermoth (PTM) Phthorimaea operculella (Lep.: Gelechiidae) is one of the pest species affecting Solanaceae worldwide. It can cause up to 80% of losses in potato open air crops as well as damage up to 100% of tubers during storage. Blattisocius (= Typhlodromus) mali (Acari: Blattisociidae), a predatory mite, was studied as a potential biological control agent of PTM. A prey acceptance bioassay of PTM eggs was carried out. Additionally, two bioassays have been conducted under microcosm conditions, which assessed the densities of mite releases at two levels of PTM infestation. The results showed that B. mali female adults accept PTM eggs as prey, and they cause a mortality rate 89.63 ± 2.47%, 48 h later. In addition to this, under microcosm conditions with potato tubers, we found at low infestation level that the effectiveness of the predatory mite varied from 72.50 ± 28.50 to 100%, 28 days later, according to the release rate of mites. Under high infestation level, the effectiveness of biological control of the pest varied from 53.36 ± 25.55 to 92.51 ± 7.88%, also according to the release rate of the mites. The possible use of biological control with B. mali of PTM, in different types of potato storage, is analysed and discussed.

Determining the number of instars in potato tuber moth Phthorimaea operculella (Zeller) using density‐based DBSCAN clustering

AbstractThe potato tuber moth (PTM), Phthorimaea operculella (Zeller), is an important pest of Solanaceae crops and especially devastating to potatoes. There is no significant difference in morphological characteristics of PTM from the first to third instar larvae; therefore, it is difficult to directly determine the number of instars of this pest based on morphology. In the present study, head capsule width and length and mandible width of 340 PTM individuals were measured. Density‐based spatial clustering of applications with noise (DBSCAN) clustering was used for instar grouping. The results of DBSCAN clustering were compared with those obtained using Gaussian mixture models and k‐means clustering; the results of the three clustering methods were verified using Brooks–Dyar rule, Crosby rule and linear regression model. The clusters obtained using the three methods were the same and comprised four PTM instars with three morphological characteristics. Moreover, the results of the three methods fit the Brooks–Dyar rule, Crosby rule, frequency analysis and logarithmic regression model well. Head capsule width was the best morphological characteristic for determining the number of instars of PTM, and this characteristic may be used for determining PTM instars in the field. These results show that the DBSCAN clustering method is a promising tool for the identification of insect instars.

A Biological study on native isolates of the fungus Beauveria bassiana (Balsamo) Vuill. at different constant temperatures and their effects on potato tuber moth, Phthorimaea operculella (Zeller) females

A Biological study on native isolates of the fungus Beauveria bassiana (Balsamo) Vuill. at different constant temperatures and their effects on potato tuber moth, Phthorimaea operculella (Zeller) females

Preliminary assessment of the anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects of methanol leaf extract of Cussonia barteri (Araliaceae) in rodents

Summary Introduction: Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) is an important vegetable crop in Syria. Potato tuber moth Cussonia barteri is a small tree that grows in the sub-Saharan part of Africa. Various parts of the plant are used for the treatment of a variety of ailments in ethno-medicine. Objective: To evaluate the anti-inflammatory and analgesic effect of the methanol leaf extract of Cussonia barteri. Material and methods: The leaves were air-dried, powdered and repeatedly extracted with methanol using a Soxhlet apparatus. The resulting methanol extract (100, 200 and 400 mg/kg) was evaluated for anti-inflammatory activity using carrageenan-induced paw oedema, xylene-induced ear oedema and formalin-induced arthritis tests. Analgesic effect was evaluated using acetic acid-induced mouse writhing, hot plate and tail flick tests. Results: All doses of the extract significantly (p<0.05) reduced carrageenan-induced paw oedema, however the 400 mg/kg dose gave a sustained effect. The extract significantly inhibited xylene induced ear oedema at all doses. There were no significant (p>0.05) reductions in paw swellings due to formalin. In the acetic acid induced writhing test, the extract significantly (p<0.05) decreased writhing at 400 mg/kg only. Reaction times were not significantly different from the control in the hot plate and tail flick tests. Conclusion: This study has shown that the methanol extract possesses acute anti-inflammatory and peripherally mediated analgesic effects.

TOXIC EFFECT STUDY OF BACILLUS THURINGIENSIS (B.T.) ISOLATE AND ARTEMISIA JUDAICA L., PLANT EXTRACT AGAINST POTATO TUBER MOTH, PHTHORIMAEA OPERCULELLA (ZELLER) (LEPIDOPTERA: GELECHIIDAE)

otato tuber moth (PTM), Phthorimaea operculella(Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) is one of the serious worldwide pest of potato (Solanum tuberosumL. Solanaceae). This pest by making irregular tunnels leaves excreta behind and led to a considerable yield loss. Trials were conducted to evaluate the effect of Bacillus thuringiensisisolate against newly emerged larvae of PTM. It had been found that the total larval death recorded 14 and 58% of larval death at 1.25 and 10 CFU/ml, respectively. The potential of extract of Artemisia judaicaagainst PTM larvae showed increase in larval mortality from 34 to 76% at 125 to 1000 ppm, respectively. In this study, the effect of Artemisia

Integration of some biopesticides against potato tuber moth, Phthorimaea operculella (Zell.), during storage with reference to histopathological changes detected by a transmission electron microscope in the endocrine system

Integration of some biopesticides against potato tuber moth, Phthorimaea operculella (Zell.), during storage with reference to histopathological changes detected by a transmission electron microscope in the endocrine system

Chemical Responses of Nicotiana tabacum (Solanaceae) Induced by Vibrational Signals of a Generalist Herbivore.

Plants are able to sense their environment and respond appropriately to different stimuli. Vibrational signals (VS) are one of the most widespread yet understudied ways of communication between organisms. Recent research into the perception of VS by plants showed that they are ecologically meaningful signals involved in different interactions of plants with biotic and abiotic agents. We studied changes in the concentration of alkaloids in tobacco plants induced by VS produced by Phthorimaea operculella (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae), a generalist caterpillar that naturally feeds on the plant. We measured the concentration of nicotine, nornicotine, anabasine and anatabine in four treatments applied to 11-weeks old tobacco plant: a) Co = undamaged plants, b) Eq = Playback equipment attached to the plant without VS, c) Ca = Plants attacked by P. operculella herbivory and d) Pl = playback of VS of P. operculella feeding on tobacco. We found that nicotine, the most abundant alkaloid, increased more than 2.6 times in the Ca and Pl treatments as compared with the Co and Eq treatments, which were similar between them. Nornicotine, anabasine and anatabine were mutually correlated and showed similar concentration patterns, being higher in the Eq treatment. Results are discussed in terms of the adaptive significance of plant responses to ecologically important VS stimuli.

The Potato Tuber Moth, Phthorimaea operculella (Zeller), in India: Biology, Ecology, and Control

Phthorimaea operculella occurs in almost all potato-producing states in India and is considered to be a major potato pest in several states. The larva attacks all vegetative parts of the potato, and most economic damage occurs to potato tubers both before harvest in the field and during storage. The tuber damage in storage has been stated to range from 1 to 72.5% in the endemic states. In Karnataka and Himachal Pradesh, up to 100% losses in storage have been reported. In India, maximum moth activity in the spring (January–May) crop occurs during March–May, whereas in the summer (May–October) crop in hilly areas, peak activity occurs in October. Temperature is positively correlated, whereas RH has a negative influence. In stores, maximum activity occurs in July. Moderate temperature around 23–24 °C is conducive for oviposition and development. Development time from egg–adult varies considerably (20–165 days). In tropics and subtropics, 7–13 generations are completed annually. For its management, use of healthy seed, field sanitation, deep planting, and proper ridging contribute significantly. In India, generally, 1–2 insecticide applications are given for its control in spring and autumn (October–December) crops. Field releases of Copidosoma koehleri and Chelonus blackburni integrated with Bacillus thuringiensis and Phthorimaea operculella granulosis virus are effective in areas having moderate temperature and high RH. In storage, dry leaves of Eucalyptus, Lantana, Ageratum, Eupatorium, soapnut, and wheat straw offer significant reduction in infestation. CIPC is helpful in reducing losses due to sprouting, but it also indicates very good potential against P. operculella in storage.

Fumigate efficacy of Juniperus foetidissima essential oil and two terpenes against Phthorimaea operculella

Summary Introduction: Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) is an important vegetable crop in Syria. Potato tuber moth Phthorimaea operculella is the main damaging pest of this crop. Many approaches were tried to control it. Objectives: This study evaluates the insecticidal activity of Juniperus foetidissima essential oil and two monoterpenes against potato tuber moth using fumigation bioassays. Methods: Essential oil was extracted from new plant branches of Juniperus foetidissima using Clevenger-type apparatus. Potato tuber moth Phthorimaea operculella, (adults, eggs, larvae, and pupae) were exposed to different concentrations of the essential oil of Juniperus foetidissima for various periods. The significance of differences between treatments at p<0.05 were evaluated by one-way analysis of variance using the mortality percentages data. The LC50 and LC90 were calculated by Probit analysis. Results: Essential oil vapor with LC50: 0.3 μl/l air was very effective against potato tuber moth at the adult stage. However; adults sensitivity to monoterpenes varied: Nerol caused a 100% mortality at 0.025 μl/l air after 6 h, while the same concentration of citronellol caused 98% mortality. The 0.125 µl/l air concentration of the two compounds caused 100% mortality after 6 h. Conclusion: Results suggest the possibility of using Juniperus foetidissima essential oil as a fumigant to control potato tuber moth infestation in stores.

Time-concentration-mortality response of potato tuber moth pupae to the biocontrol agent Cordyceps tenuipes

ABSTRACTThe potato tuber moth (PTM) Phthorimaea operculella is a critical potato pest. Larvae infest both foliage and tubers and mature larvae pupate in the soil or other safe places. Cordyceps tenuipes, an entomopathogenic fungus, infect lepidopteran pupae. To determine the effectiveness of this fungus as a biocontrol agent for PTM, we evaluated the time-concentration-mortality (TCM) response of PTM pupae to C. tenuipes using the following bioassays: (1) direct immersion in conidial suspensions, (2) incubation in sterilised or (3) unsterilised soilpremixed with conidia, and (4) incubation in unsterilised soil drenched with conidial suspensions to simulate field conditions. Fungal infection caused 100%, 83.3%, 73.3%, and 85.0% mortality of PTM pupae in assays 1–4, respectively. At 108 conidia/mL or conidia/g concentration, assays 1 and 4 had short lethal times (LT50) of 2.2 and 2.6 days compared with 3.7 and 4.8 days for assays 2 and 3, respectively. On day 7 after inoculation, assays 1 and 4 also had low lethal concentrations (LC50) of 1.69 × 103 conidia/mL and 1.10 × 105 conidia/g compared with those of assays 2 and 3, which showed low virulence, with LC50 of 3.50 × 105 and 3.60 × 106 conidia/mL, respectively. Our results demonstrate that C. tenuipes is a promising candidate for PTM biocontrol at the pupal stage. Drenching the soil surface with conidial suspensions may be the most effective method of field application.

Protection of stored potatoes from infestation with the potato tuber moth, Phthorimaea operculella (Zeller)(Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) using plant powders

BackgroundThe potato tuber moth (PTM), Phthorimaea operculella (Zeller) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae), is an important storage pest of potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) in Saudi Arabia and Egypt. Infestation in the store starts mostly through freshly harvested infested tubers or through moths entering the storage facilities. Larvae mine in tubers making them unsuitable for sale and consumption. Damage increases rapidly when several generations develop during the storage period. Larvae are capable of causing damage to the crop either in the field or in the store. Biopesticides are certain types of pesticides derived from animals, plants, bacteria, and certain minerals. During the course of evolution, plants have developed, as part of their defensive mechanism, various chemical molecules, which proved a protection against insect pests, since the overall pressure of insect on plant is much more than any other herbivore. Biopesticides prepared from plants are reported to have the ability to kill or keep away the pests. They are eco-friendly. The plant products have additional advantage over synthetic insecticides, as they are biodegradable, safe to non-target organisms, leave no residues, and decrease the buildup of resistance strains of insects. Present research is conducted to evaluate the capacity of certain natural local alternative plant powders against PTM under storage conditions as attempts to providing alternative and novel strategies that can be used by both the commercial and/or small-scale potato farmers to control the pest in the store.MethodsTwelve different plants (Zygophyllum, Solanum, Coriander, Arnoglosse, Jasmine, Senna, Colocynth, Camomile, Harmel, Geranium, Basil, and Mint) locally available in the fields of the Eastern Province of the Saudi Arabian kingdom were air-dried under a shad at ambient tropical condition. The air dried materials were grinded into fine powders and kept in tight containers until using. Potato tubers were shacked with the plant powders for a good mixing, until tubers were uniformly covered and the powders stick well to the tuber surfaces. Different dried leaves or fruits of the 12 tested plants were powdered to be used at rate of 25 g plant powder per 1 Kg tubers. The experiments were distributed in a randomized complete block design. Different biological aspects of the treatments were calculated; damage index to tubers and persistence of protection to the tubers during different intervals of storage were recorded.ResultsAll plant powders had a reduction effect on the deposited eggs laid on the treated tubers with different degrees. The dried powders of Coriander, Clocynth, and Zygophyllum reduced egg deposition on the treated tubers than the control, followed by Jassmin, Senna, Cammomil, and Harmel. The powders of Basil and Solanum also recorded a moderate reduction in egg deposition. Zygophyllum and Coriander could protect the tubers for more than 8 weeks. All other treatments greatly minimized the number of emerged moths from the treated tubers (F1), as follows: Coriander = Zygophyllum (0) > Basil (17.39) > Geranium (17.85) > Cammomil (18.75) > Arnoglosse (19.32) > Jasmine (21.62) > Mint (21.69) > Harmel (52.77) > Senna and Colocynth (72.72) > Solanum (100) compared with untreated tubers (95.17). All treatments had no effects on the tuber germination.ConclusionThe study showed that all the tested plant powders, at the rate of 25 g plant powder per 1 Kg potato tubers, could protect the tubers for more than 8 weeks from PTM infestation during storage. The most potent powders were Coriander and Zygophyllum. All other powders decreased the number of the emerged adults from the treated tubers, with variable degrees, and decreased the percentage of tubers’ damage index recorded. Besides, all the tested plant powders had no effects on the tubers’ germination.

Caffeic Acid and α-Chaconine Influence the Resistance of Potato Tuber to Phthorimaea operculella (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae)

Host plant quality can influence insect larval performance and subsequent adult fitness. Advanced hybrid potato clones (donor species: Solanum berthaultii Hawkes) and their parents were evaluated for resistance to the potato tuber moth (PTM) and examined for several biochemical, molecular and physical traits in order to investigate the mechanisms which underlie PTM-resistance. Resistant parent recorded 57% of mortality of pupae in comparison to the 23% observed in the susceptible parent. Expression patterns of specific genes involved in the phenolic biosynthetic pathway show that hydroxycinnamoyl-CoA quinate hydroxycinnamoyl transferase (HQT) and cinnamate-4-hydroxylase (C4H) reflect chlorogenic and caffeic acid levels in the skin of all the genotypes (0.7 ≤ r ≤ 1.0). Skin α-chaconine and skin caffeic acid strongly and significantly related with PTM larval mortality (r2 = 0.99 and r = 0.90, respectively). This study suggests that skin α-chaconine and skin caffeic acid could play a defensive role against PTM and proposes a PTM resistant clone with high level of these bio-compounds, useful in breeding projects for plant defense and nutritional value purposes.

Olfactory responses of adult Potato Tuber Moth, Phthorimaea operculella (Zeller) measured by attraction relative to the tomato leaf volatiles

Abstract The potato tuber moth (PTM) is an oligophagous herbivore and a severe pest of solanaceous crops in many countries of the world. Previously, we reported host expansion and damage potential of PTM on tomato, a congeneric crop of potato. Here we tested adult olfactory behaviour of PTM to leaves of five different cultivated tomato varieties including Moneymaker, Campari, Ailsa craig, LA3475 and E6203, and one wild species, Solanum pimpinellifolium. Tomato leaf hydro-distilled oils of Moneymaker, Campari, Ailsa craig, S. pimpinellifolium and E6203 showed strong attractiveness and LA3475 exhibited repulsiveness for adult PTM of both sexes in two-armed bioassays. Volatiles of Moneymaker, Campari, Ailsa Craig, S. pimpinellifolium and E6203 showed attractiveness for mated adult PTM of both sexes (> 70%). The extracted oil of all tomato leaves contains monoterpenes, sesquiterpenes, diterpenes and C6 alcohols as well as other components. Phytol is one of the common and major compounds in all tomato varieties. Phytol showed weak attractiveness: 60.8–63.6% and 57.6–60.6% for male and female PTM, respectively when tested at concentrations of 0.1–10 mg/mL. Therefore, the attractiveness of tomato leaf volatiles might be due to synergistic effects of plant volatile mixtures. Identification PTM attractant volatile in tomato leaf is important in its control in environmentally friendly manner.

Suitability of tomato leaves for larval development of Potato Tuber Moth, Phthorimaea operculella (Zeller) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae)

AbstractThe potato tuber moth (PTM) is an important pest of the potato plant and its tuber. With the expansion of its geographic range, the PTM could be potential threat to the tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.), a congeneric species of the potato. To assess that risk, we tested larval feeding and development of PTM on leaves of five cultivated tomato varieties namely Moneymaker, Campari, Ailsa Craig, LA3475, E6203 and one wild tomato variety S. pimpinellifolium. PTM larvae accepted all tested plant leaves and developed into adults. Larval development was fastest on the Ailsa Craig variety. Pupae developed fastest on the Moneymaker variety and slowest on LA3475. Host acceptance and survival were highest on Ailsa Craig and lowest on LA3475. The significantly highest male proportion occurred on LA3475 variety. The study showed that PTM could be a potential threat to tomato cultivation which is rapidly increasing in temperate regions owing to climate change.

Sequencing of Tuta absoluta genome to develop SNP genotyping assays for species identification

Tuta absoluta is one of the most devastating pests of fresh market and processing tomatoes. Native to South America, its detection was confined to that continent until 2006 when it was identified in Spain. It has now spread to almost every continent, threatening countries whose economies rely heavily on tomatoes. This insect causes damage to all developmental stages of its host plant, leading to crop losses as high as 80–100%. Although T. absoluta has yet to be found in the USA and China, which makes up a large portion of the tomato production in the world, computer models project a high likelihood of invasion. To halt the continued spread of T. absoluta and limit economic loss associated with tomato supply chain, it is necessary to develop accurate and efficient methods to identify T. absoluta and strengthen surveillance programs. Current identification of T. absoluta relies on examination of morphology and assessment of host plant damage, which are difficult to differentiate from that of native tomato pests. To address this need, we sequenced the genomes of T. absoluta and two closely related Gelechiidae, Keiferia lycopersicella and Phthorimaea operculella, and developed a bioinformatic pipeline to design a panel of 21-SNP markers for species identification. The accuracy of the SNP panel was validated in a multiplex format using the iPLEX chemistry of Agena MassARRAY system. Finally, the new T. absoluta genomic resources we generated can be leveraged to study T. absoluta biology and develop species-specific management strategies.