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    Tomato pinworms

    Damage caused by the Tomato pinworms

    All the larval stages of tomato pinworm cause feeding damage to buds, flowers, leaves and tomato fruits. Young larvae generally feed on leaves giving them mining appearance. The older larvae directly bore into tomato fruits and leave behind pin size hole on the surface of tomato fruits giving them name as pinworms. In addition to direct feeding damage, injuries caused by pinworms serves entry points for other disease causing pathogens that can cause rotting of fruits. In case of severe infestation, pinworms can kill tomato plants as well as reduce the quality and yield of tomatoes.

    Facts (show all)

    +Common names
    • The Tomato pinworms
    +Scientific name
    • Keiferia lycopersicella
    +Identification

    Adults: Moths of tomato pinworms are gray in color with reddish brown head capsule.

    Eggs: Eggs of tomato pinworms are pale yellow to orange in color.

    Larvae/Caterpillars: Mature larvae of tomato pinworms are yellowish green in color. Their body is covered with dark purple spots with green head capsule. Mature larvae are about 6.5 mm long.

    Pupae: Pupae of tomato pinworm are green to brown in color.

    +Biology

    The life cycle of tomato pinworms consists of four stages including adult, egg, larva and pupa. Of these four stages, only larval stage cause damage to their host plants, Tomato pinworm overwinter as pupae on the soil surface under the plant debris. Adult moths emerge from pupae within 6-7 days. After mating, females lay eggs on the lower surface of leaves. These eggs hatch into small caterpillars that start feeding on the buds, flowers, leaves and fruits. While feeding, caterpillars develop through 4 developmental stages and become mature in June. In Mature larvae the drop on the ground and then pupate in the soil. Under favourable conditions, tomato pinworm can complete one generation in a year.

    + Organic Control of the Tomato pinworms
    • Following beneficial bugs and plant products are used for organic control of the Tomato pinworms
    +Egg parasitic wasps
    • Trichogramma brassicae
    • Trichogramma pretiosum
    • Trichogramma minutum
    • Trichogramma platneri
    +Predatory praying mantis
    • Tenodera aridifolia sinensis
    • Stagmomantis crolina
    +Plant Product
    • Molt-X® - (Active ingredient – Azadirachtin a compound isolated from neem leaves)

    Click each of the following beneficial bugs or plant product for more information on their rates and methods of applications for the effective control of the Tomato pinworms.