Solanum nigrum, Canary Islands, El Hierro

mine

Oviposition is in the ground; larvae therefore have to search and mount a host plant. Large, glassy, irregular blotches without a recognisable preceding corridor. Frass in a black mass, mainly in the oldest part of the mine. The larvae move several times, and can also bore in the stem and underground parts.

host plants

Solanaceae, oligophagous

Hyoscyamus albus; Lycopersicon esculentum; Nicotiana glauca, tabacum; Solanum dulcamara, melongena, nigrum, tuberosum, villosum.

phenology

Larvae in July – September (Bland ao, Britain, 2002a); several generations per year in warmer regions.

BENELUX

BE recorded (Phegea, 2009).

NE recorded (Kuchlein & de Vos, 1999a; Microlepidoptera.nl, 2009).

LUX not recorded (Fauna Europaea, 2009).

distribution within Europe

All Europe south of the line Ireland – Southern Russia (Fauna Europaea, 2009). Originally a Neotropical species.

pupa

Described by Patočka & Turčáni (2005a).

synonyms

Gelechia operculella.

notes

Everywhere in the tropics and subtropics, including the Mediterranean Region, a serious pest on potato, to a lesser degree also tobacco. The main damage is caused by damaging the potato tubers (“potato tuber worm”).

references

Aguiar & Karsholt (2006a), Biesenbaum (2000b), Bland, Corley, Emmet ao (2002a), Elsner, Huemer & Tokár (1999a), Gómez de Aizpúrua (2003a), Hering (1927a, 1936b, 1957a), Huemer & Karsholt (2010a), Huertas Dionisio (2007a), Klimesch (1984a), Kuchlein & Donner (1993a), Kuchlein & de Vos (1999a), Langmaid & Young (2009a), Patočka & Turčáni (2005a), De Prins (1998a), De Prins & Steeman (2011a), De Prins, Steeman & Sierens (2016a), Rivera & Burrack (2012a), van Roosmalen, Wijker & Knijnsberg (2013a), Stehr (1987a), Swezey (1944a), Szőcs (1977a).