Integrated pest management of the potato tuber moth in cropping systems of different agro-ecological zones

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The potato tuber moth Phthorimaea operculella (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) is the most important pest in potato production in the tropics and subtropics. The research present here deals with its ecology. The investigations include studies on the population dynamics of the moth in various potato growing areas of Peru, Egypt and Kenya. Based on life cycle data determined under different agroecological climates a temperature based development model was applied and validated. This model allows predictions of critical infestation periods under given temperature regimes. Furthermore, the population dynamics of the moth were correlated with leaf and tuber infestation in field and store, and field trials were conducted to test biological control methods and to determine the pest intensity-crop loss relationship.