Potato tuberworm (Potato tuberworm)

Japanese: ジャガイモキバガ(馬鈴薯牙蛾) - ジャガイモキバガ（英語表記）potato tuberworm

An insect of the Lepidoptera family Gelechiidae. Wing span is 1.1-1.5cm. The wings are very thin, and the forewings vary from light yellowish brown to gray brown. The larvae are major pests of potatoes, feeding on the buds, leaves, stems, and fruit. They also infest tobacco, tomatoes, eggplants, and chili peppers, which are also members of the Solanaceae family. They also burrow into stored potato tubers, causing great damage. They are believed to have originated in Central America, but have spread throughout the world from temperate to tropical regions, and are believed to have become indigenous to Japan after potatoes brought in by the occupying forces after World War II.

Source: Heibonsha World Encyclopedia, 2nd Edition Information

Japanese:

鱗翅目キバガ科の昆虫。翅の開張1.1～1.5cm。翅は非常に細く，前翅は淡黄褐色から灰褐色まで変異がある。幼虫はジャガイモの大害虫で，芽，葉，茎，実に食入する。このほか同じナス科のタバコ，トマト，ナス，トウガラシなどにも加害する。貯蔵中のジャガイモの塊茎にも潜り込み大害を与える。中央アメリカが原産地と推定されるが，世界中の温帯から熱帯に広がり，日本には，第2次世界大戦後占領軍によってもち込まれたジャガイモについて侵入し土着したものと推定される。

出典　株式会社平凡社世界大百科事典第２版について　情報

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