Potato tuber moth
Common Name
--Scientific Name
Phthorimaea operculella
Issue
Insect
Causes
The pest is transferred with the harvested tubers to the potato store, where it can reproduce and infest other tubers. This may lead to total destruction of the stored crop.
Prevention
Use healthy, clean seed, since infested seed tubers are the main cause of re-infestation in the field. Avoid planting in rough soil. Plant as deeply as possible (10 cm deep) and ridge at least 3 times during the growing season and Ensure compact hilling.
Control
Destroy all infested potatoes immediately and remove all plant residues from the field. Caterpillars pupate in the tubers and dry stems left in the field and use alternative pesticides to protect potatoes in store. Neem can be applied to reduce damage by