Description

Adult

Wingspan of ca. 13 mm in female and 10 mm in males. Stout moths with lanceolate shaped forewings and fringed hindwings. Males are dark brown with 2 marks and indistinct longitudinal lines. Females are bright brown with three marks and bright brown longitudinal lines on the forewings.

Larvae

After hatching larvae measure 1.2-1.4 mm in length, and are translucent white in colour with a dark brown head and prothoracic plate. Final instars reach 12-15 mm and are purple dorsally and green ventrally with a dark brown head and prothoracic plate.

Eggs

Ovoid, ca. 0.5 x 0.4 mm in size. Pearly white when newly laid, becoming yellow and finally brown with age. Laid singly or in small groups on the ground or directly onto tubers.

Distribution

Central and South America and Spain.

Economic Host(s)

Potato

Symptoms/Signs

Damage is done to plants outside and potatoes in storage. Larvae bore into potato tubers to feed within galleries. Galleries become filled with frass and exuviae. The tubers shown no sign of infestation until the larvae bores out of the tuber to pupate. Exit holes are circular, 2-3 mm in diameter.

Generations:

4-10 (climate dependent)