exists in South Africa as well, is another parasitoid of the moth's larvae. Mating Male/Female interactions Female potato tuber moths release a sex pheromone to attract males that has been shown to be composed of tridecadienyl and tridecatrienyl acetates. Males that sense this pheromone typically display wing fanning behavior and walk in a “zig-zagging” route towards the source. Interactions with humans Pest of crop plants The larvae of the potato tuber moths can be very damaging to potato crops as well as tobacco and tomato plants. The larvae will eat away at the foliage and then proceed to eat away at the tubers as well, preventing the plant from growing. At times, the larvae will eat through the potatoes themselves making them unsellable to consumers. Insecticides are commonly used to prevent and kill off potato tuber larvae but they are only effective against foliar infestations and not against infested tubers. Larval parasites such as Apanteles subandinus have also been successful in controlling foliar infestations but unfortunately do not have any significant impact on tuber infestations. The best solution to prevent the larvae from eating away at the tubers is with sprinkler irrigation as it deters the adult female moths from ovipositing. References Phthorimaea Agricultural pest insects Moths of Africa Moths of Asia Moths of Europe Moths of Oceania Moths of Japan Moths of New Zealand Moths of Mauritius Moths of Réunion Lepidoptera of the Democratic Republic of the Congo Moths described in 1873