Description

Adult

Wingspan of 15-17 mm and a body length of ca. 10 mm. Forewings are pale brown with small blotches of mid brown. Hindwings are pale grey. Head and thorax are pale brown.

Larvae

Fully grown larvae reach 15 mm in length. Body greyish-white to pale greenish-grey. Pinacula are small and dark brown or black. Head is dark brown and prothoracic plate is often a pinkish shade. Anal plate is dark brown.

Eggs

Oval smooth and yellowish in colour. Laid singly or in small batches on leaves or exposed tubers near the eye buds.

Distribution

Worldwide except Canada and northern parts of Europe

Economic Host(s)

Members of the family Solanaceae especially potato, tomato, chilli and tobacco.

Symptoms/Signs

Newly hatched larvae create mines in young leaf tissue. Later instars move to feed externally on stems, fruits and petioles and also bore into tubers. Frass and silk are excreted from feeding tunnels and potato eyes appear pink. Infestation of stored potatoes also occurs.

Generations:

2-4