First report of Keiferia lycopersicella in Armenia
In the EPPO region the tomato pinworm Keiferia lycopersicella (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae, EPPO A1 List) was only once observed in Italy (EPPO RS 2010/211) but did not establish. A scientific article reports its presence in Armenia.
Surveys were conducted in June-September 2024 in several regions of Armenia using pheromone traps with a pheromone synthetized in Armenia. Traps were placed in fields in 8 out of the 10 regions of Armenia: Aragatsotn, Ararat, Armavir, Gegharkunik, Kotayk, Lori, Syunik and Tavush. The pest was recorded in Ararat, Armavir, Kotayk, and Tavush regions. Higher damage to leaves and fruit was recorded in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) and eggplant (Solanum melongena) than on potato (Solanum tuberosum) and pepper (Capsicum sp.) crops.
K. lycopersicella is not a quarantine pest in Armenia but Phthorimaea absoluta (syn. Tuta absoluta, Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae – EPPO A2 List,) which looks similar and is also a pest of solanaceous hosts, is a quarantine pest with a restricted distribution in Armenia.
The authors consider that this is the first record of K. lycopersicella in Armenia. It may be noted that the article does not explain how the pest was identified and for how many years it may have been present in Armenia.
The situation of Keiferia lycopersicella in Armenia can be described as: Present, not widely distributed and not under official control.
Sources
Hobosyan NG, Balyan KV, Movsisyan LA, Hovsepyan VS, Sargsyan HB, Pogosyan HR, Harutyunyan HR, Manvelyan AA, Ghazaryan MH, Asatryan SS, Terlemezyan HL (2025) novel synthetic strategy and field testing tomato pinworm pheromone in Armenia. Chemistry & Biodiversity 22(7), e202403455. https://doi.org/10.1002/cbdv.202403455