Biology of Potato Tuberworm, Phthorimaea operculella (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae), on The Leaves of Ten Potato Cultivars Under

The potato tuberworm, Phthorimaea operculella (Zeller) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae), is one of the most damaging pests of cultivated potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) crop, in both field and stores in tropical and subtropical regions. The biological parameters of this pest were evaluated in the growth chamber at 24±1ºC, 65±5% RH and photoperiod of 14:10 h (L:D) on leaves of ten potato cultivars, Agria, Agata, Almira, Arinda, Baneba, Fiana, Marfona, Ramus, Satina and Volvox. The mean of total development duration (from egg to adult) of P. operculella was significantly different among potato cultivars. The longest immature development time (29.47±0.20 day) was estimated on Marfona leaves. The lowest values of females longevity and life cycle of P. operculella was obtained on Fiana and Volvox cultivars leaves, respectively. There was no significant difference among the preoviposition, oviposition periods and daily fecundity value of P. operculella females feeding on examined cultivars while its postoviposition period and total fecundity on the different potato cultivars differed significantly. The shortest oviposition period was estimated to be 2.57± 0.35 days on leaves of Marfona cultivar. The average of total fecundity per female was lowest on Marfona cultivar (44.61 ± 4.21 eggs). P. operculella has lower performance on leaves of the Marfona cultivar, subsequently, this cultivar was resistant in comparing to other cultivars and can be used in integrated pest management program of potato tuberworm.