Alternative host plants of tobacco leaf-miner (Phthorimaea aperculella (Zell.))

Abstract

All recorded hosts of the tobacco leaf-miner, both economic and wild, belong to the family Solanaceae and most are in the genus Solanum. Occurrences of the insect in the few previously recorded wild hosts in North Queensland have been confirmed. The field studies have revealed a number of additional wild hosts and the laboratory studies have shown that when induced to do so the leaf-miner can breed in other wild Solanaceous plants. A possible enlarged range of wild hosts for this pest is indicated. A tabulated list is given of host plants in Queensland. Wild hosts in the tobacco-growing districts are often heavily infested with leaf-miner. These, together with undestroyed volunteer tobacco plants, are important in maintaining populations of leaf-miner, especially in areas where winter temperatures are mild.