South American tomato moth can wreak havoc among Norwegian tomato crops
A new report, prepared by the Swedish Food Safety Committee (VKM) for the Norwegian Food Safety Authority, said that initiatives should be launched against tomato moths.
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The species, recently discovered in Norway, is likely to cause major damage to the tomato industry, and targeted measures should be taken its spread, says the report.
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The report continues that crops may be lost, and that the use of chemical and biological pesticides will increase if measures aren’t taken.
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The tomato moth, increasingly widespread in Europe, was first discovered in Norway in a nursery in Jæren in April. Since then, it has also been discovered by three other tomato producers in Rogaland.
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The tomato moth, or tuta absoluta (Latin name), seriously harms the tomato industry in countries where it’s established. From some countries, losses of between 50 and 100% have been reported according to VKM.
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The moth can lay up to 260 eggs in its lifetime. The larvae attack leaves and stalks, and live larvae can be found on tomatoes. The moth doesn’t present a health hazard to humans, but is a little disturbing to consumers.
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The Norwegian Food Safety Authority doesn’t yet know how the moth arrived among horticulture in Rogaland.
Source: NTB scanpix / Norway Today
