Monitoring and risk assessment of tobacco crops from attack of potato moth Phthorimaea operculella (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae)

Abstract

The invasion of potato moth Phthorimaea operculella Zeller in temperate zones is related to global warming, the large number of available host plants and the concentration of production areas. This study analyzes the risk for tobacco crops from attack of potato moth and opportunities for control. Tobacco is a suitable host for potato moth throughout the growing season in the field. The attack by the pest is favoured by growing tobacco in close proximity to potato crops. The level of damage caused by the potato moth on tobacco depends on the biological characteristics and the technological features in the cultivation of different tobacco varieties. Large leaf tobacco cultivars are at most risk, especially Burley tobacco varieties. Using pheromone traps it is possible to assign three levels of risk from the second and third generation of moth. If more than eight moths are caught per week in June, or more than twenty moths per week in July, then the crop can be considered to be at high risk. The practices that restrict distribution and level of damage from potato moth on tobacco are discussed.