A potential threat to tomato, a congener crop to potato from invaded potato tuber moth, Phthorimaea operculella (Zeller)

Potato tuber moth (PTM) is a primary pest of potato which had invaded into Korea in 1968 and its distribution was restricted in the southern part of the peninsula. Possibly due to the climate change, its distribution expanded toward the Northern part of South Korea including Gyounggi and Gangwon province where tomato production is high. Host expansion and damage potential of PTM was evaluated on tomato, a congeneric crop of potato. Three commercial varieties of tomato (Dafnis, Bangul and Jujube) and a potato (Superior-Sumi) were subjected to PTM larvae. The results showed that host suitability of tomato to PTM was lower than potato, but PTM could completely develop and reproduce on tomato leaves or fruits. Development time was varied relative to tomato varieties and plant age. PTM showed lower performance on the leaves and fruits of cherry type tomatoes. Higher survival was observed in the large sized fruit of tomato varieties. This study showed substantial evidence that the invaded PTM could damage the tomato cultivation. [Display omitted] •Potato tuber moth is an invaded pest of potato but has potential to feed on tomato.•Potato tuber moth can complete development on tomato leaves or fruits.•Reproductive performances of potato tuber moth varied with tomato varieties.•Potato tuber moth showed lower performance on cherry type tomato than large tomato.•Potato tuber moth could threaten tomato cultivation.