Butterflies and Moths of North America

collecting and sharing data about Lepidoptera

Potato Tuberworm Moth
Phthorimaea operculella (Zeller, 1873)
Family: Gelechiidae
Subfamily: Gelechiinae
Identification: Antennae ringed with black and gray. Forewing gray with orange-yellow to brown streaks, heaviest in upper forewing except in terminal area. Hindwing gray with long fringe.
Wing Span: 1.2-1.9 cm.
Life History: Larva (Potato Tuberworm) feeds on leaves, stems and fruits of nightshade family and can be a pest of stored potatoes and tobacco.
Flight: A continuous breeder in all months when protected from cold.
Caterpillar Hosts: Nightshade.
Adult Food:
Habitat:
Range: Throughout eastern North America. Introduced from South America.
Conservation:
NCGR: Not listed
Management Needs:
Comments: NULL
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Verified Sightings

Displaying 1 - 1 of 1 verified sightings
Observation date: Apr 19, 1971
Submitted by: legacy.reporter (Heitzman, J. Richard)
Region: Jackson County, Missouri, United States
Verified by: legacy.verifier (Heitzman, J. Richard)
Verified date: Nov 06, 2008
  Details

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