First report of Phthorimaea absoluta (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) in Korea

Abstract

Abstract The South American tomato pinworm, Phthorimaea absoluta Meyrick, 1917 (= Tuta absoluta), a significant pest of solanaceous crops globally, has been detected for the first time in Jeonbuk Province, Korea. It caused damage to commercial tomatoes, particularly in organic farms that do not use chemical pesticides. Additionally, damage was found on Solanum nigrum L., a common wild plant in Korea, emphasizing its potential to sustain populations even in the absence of cultivated hosts. Our research underscores the urgency of conducting further research and developing effective management strategies to mitigate its spread and damage.