New Emerging Pests in the Pacific Northwest

The potato tuber moth Phthorimaea operculella (Zeller) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) is
one of the most important pests worldwide. It was first detected in OR in 2002. In 2003,
several fields were completely lost due to tuberworm damage resulting in an economic
loss of approximately $2 million. This economic loss has increased substantially in 2004 and 2005, due to increased tuberworm densities in areas already infested, range expansion,
damage, and the cost contributed to control measures. A recent report confirms tuberworm in Central Oregon and in Western Idaho. Control of tuberworm damage is critical because its
larvae infest tubers, rendering them unmarketable. There is a zero level of tolerance in
processed potatoes. For more information, visit:

http://oregonstate.edu/Dept/hermiston/

How to ID the Potato Tuberworm

Control Measures

Potato Updates

Biology of the Potato Tuberworm

Factors that Affect Potato Tuberworm Incidence

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