Keiferia lycopersicella (Walsingham, 1897)

Lepidoptera, Gelechiidae

mine

Young larvae make a fairly small, full depth, irregular, blotch. Older larvae live free between spun leaves. They also may enter a fruit, making pinhhole-like opening.

hostplants

Solanaceae, oligophagous

Lycopersicon esculentum; Solanum bahamense, carolinense, melongena, tuberosum, umbelliferum, xanti.

phenology

In tropical regions eight or more generations per year.

distribution within Europe

Originally a Neotropic species; one, unverified, record from Italy (Sannino & Espinosa, 2009a), not found back later (Karsholt & Huemer, 2010a).

larva

Body mottled purplish brown with three indistinct, interrupted, length lines; segment borders whitish; prothoracic plate greyish brown with a broad whitish border at all sides; head light brown.

notes

In (sub)tropical regions an important pest on tomatoes (“Tomato Pinworm”).

references

Huemer & Karsholt (2010a), Poe (2005a), Sannino & Espinosa (2009a), Swezey (1944a).

17/09/2011