Field Trials with the Sex Pheromone of the Potato Tuberworm

Two formulations of potato tuberworm, Phthorimaea operculella (Zeller), sex pheromone, trans -4, cis -7-tridecadien-1-ol-acetate (PTM 1) and PTM 1 + trans -4, cis -7, cis -10, tridecatrien-1-ol acetate (PTM 2) were tested in the field during 1980 and 1981 in Lima, Peru. Mixtures of PTM 1 + PTM 2 were more attractive than PTM 1 alone. Tuber damage of potato clone DTO 33 was related to trap catches. Fields with low moth populations during winter plantings of 1980 did not sustain economic damage. When moth populations were high during summer plantings of 1980, potato clone DTO 33 sustained 42% tuber damage.